AGSI must move to protect our pay and conditions. Accordingly we must press candidates canvassing for your vote to support the Gardaí and maintain their pay rates into the future.
AGSI are now calling on all members to press their TD’s and people seeking election on the following important matters.
AGSI members should seek out candidates and ask them to support the Gardaí by signing the below letter which members should post to AGSI Head Office when signed by the TD or election candidate. AGSI will present to the relevant party.
I accept there will be an effort involved in undertaking this campaign. I also accept that there will be a small cost to members posting the letter to AGSI, however this is a small price to pay to protect our income. Please support AGSI in this campaign.
When you have done this, please ask your colleagues to do the same.
ACT NOW TO PROTECT YOUR PAY
Matters to be raised with Election Candidates
If you are canvassed for your vote during the election campaign members should take the opportunity to raise law and order and policing issues with their politicians.
Fact
2000 Gardaí have left the organisation between 2010 and 2015. All Divisional and specialist sections have seen a reduction in numbers as a result
Questions:
Do you support the principal that communities should have an effective police service delivered at the point of need by properly resourced and paid Gardaí?
What is your position on the staffing levels within the Garda Organisation?
Has your party agreed on the correct number of Gardaí required to provide an adequate police service to the Public?
What is your own personal position and what commitment can you give that you will move the next Government to work towards increasing the Garda staffing numbers to an adequate level?
Fact
The AGSI took a case to the European Social Committee (through EuroCOP) citing the government for breaches of the European Social Charter which prevents AGSI from negotiating our pay and conditions, free from association with umbrella trade union movements and from the right to strike. The European Social Committee found the Government were in Breach of the European Social Charter in limiting our rights in these areas. Despite this judgement having been handed down in December 2013 nothing has been done to implement the Committee’s decision.
Questions:
Do you support the Gardaí having the same social rights as other members of society?
Do you think Gardaí should be entitled, as are other trade unions/representative unions, to negotiate their pay and conditions and not have them determined by people with no knowledge of theh reality of policing?
Will you press your party leadership to have the full terms of the European Social Committee’s decision implemented in full?
Fact
Garda pay has suffered significant reductions over the austerity years. Gardaí have taken pay cuts of up to 23%. It is widely recognised and recently emphasised that policing is a dangerous job.
Despite the evident dangers that members are exposed to on a daily basis Government implemented the FEMPI Act 2015 which will have freeze Garda increments for 2 years up to July 2018.
Questions:
Are you aware that Government implemented this punitive measure against the Gardaí?
Are you supportive of this legislation?
What will you do if your party is elected to Government in relation to this legislation? Will you support AGSI’s call for an amendment to the legislation exempting the Gardaí from this legislation?
Ask them if they will write to the Taoiseach or your party leader TODAY expressing their support for the removal of a pay freeze on Gardaí for two years and the restoration of Garda pay.
All AGSI members should immediately print the below letter and present it to each candidate canvassing for election in their constituency. Seek out candidates if they are not calling to your door. When you meet them you should present the letter and ask them to sign it before they leave. Don’t rely on them taking the letter away for signing. Get them to sign it there and then. You should then send this signed letter to AGSI, Head Office, 6th Floor Phibsborough Tower, Dublin 7.
Family members should be encouraged to present the same request to candidates.
