ANOTHER STRIKE THREAT BY GARDAI
Rank-and-file expected to back move by senior force members
GARDAÍ are again threatening strike – to guarantee their right to strike.
Yesterday, Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors members vowed that they will take this action if their rights are not recognised.
Speaking before the opening of their annual conference in Co. Carlow, AGSI president Antoinette Cunningham accepted industrial action was ‘not palatable’ to the public but strike action ‘is totally and utterly denied’ to gardaí.
Sources close to the largest garda representative group, the GRA, said it would be willing to go out on strike in solidarity with the AGSI – effectively bringing all gardaí on to the picket line.
Last night there was condemnation of the move as rural dwellers hit out at a proposal that would leave them exposed to gangs already targeting vulnerable people in their homes in areas where garda numbers are low.
Irish Rural Link’s Louise Lennon said in reaction: ‘This is the last thing we
need to hear. With the levels of crime in rural areas at the moment, the fear factor is already very high.
‘Even the prospect of a strike will make a lot of people feel very nervous for the future.’
An independent report produced in December 2016 found that the average garda earns €100,000 a year when the amount they earn in pensions are added in – more than what many doctors or solicitors earn. Members of the AGSI, who are more senior gardaí, earn even higher wages.
The last time members of
‘Must address the issues’
the force threatened strike action was back in 2016 over pay and collective bargaining.
Before it was called off, the Government promised that garda representatives would have access to the Workplace Relations Commission and the Labour Court.
They were also promised the right to negotiate their own pay deals as part of a union.
A State working group set up subsequently decided gardaí should not be allowed the opportunity to use striking as a threat to gain improved working conditions.
But, yesterday, Ms Cunningham said it was ‘absolutely’ the case that a strike ballot would be put to members if there is no resolution from the Government.
‘We always have to return to our members, so we will see how matters progress over the next few months,’ she said. ‘As I said to the Minister of Justice, we will also write to the various oversight bodies.
‘They too carry a great responsibility. If they are serious about the reform agenda in An Garda Síochána then they must address the very issues that affect the workers in the organisation.’
She said her organisation had been listening over the last year to the ‘massive commentary’ about garda reform.
‘We have listened to rebranding, disbanding, starting all over again. The AGSI has a proud history and we are proud to be members of it and we won’t cause reputational damage,’ she said. ‘But we will do what representative organisations are required to do.’
The EU ruled in 2014 gardaí have the right to strike and negotiate pay and conditions, and affiliate to the Irish Conmade gress of Trade Unions.
The Government issued a response, stating: ‘It is critically important that the police and security services in the State are fully operational at all times and it must be emphasised that providing a right to strike to members of the Garda Síochána across the country would raise the
‘Progress has been made’
most serious issues in respect of the capacity of the State to ensure the maintenance of law and order.’
Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan yesterday twice sidestepped the opportunity to say whether or not he will give gardaí the right to strike.
When asked if he would, he replied: ‘Progress has been in the matter of industrial relations and pay.’
Asked the same question again, he replied: ‘I am going to continue to work with An Garda Síochána in order to ensure that such a right is never deployed.’
Both the Garda Representative Association and the AGSI have supported each other in the past and the GRA is expected to make an announcement on the issue of union recognition at its forthcoming annual conference.
At present, gardaí are forbidden by law to strike or take any other form of industrial action. This is despite the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers and the European Committee of Social Rights in 2014 permitting gardaí to strike and negotiate pay.
neil.michael@dailymail.ie