Equalisation of Worker Rights for Sergeants and Inspectors Welcome

Historic Day as AGSI Welcome Access to Workplace Relations Commission and Labour Court  

The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors has described today as ‘historic’ with members of An Garda Síochána having access to the Workplace Relations Commission and the Labour Court for the first time.

From today, Garda members will have access to the industrial relations machinery of the State, due to the enactment of the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Act 2019.

The Act provides that Garda members will now have access, through their Representative Associations, to the services of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) and the Labour Court to facilitate resolution of industrial relations disputes.

In parallel, new internal dispute resolution mechanisms have been introduced in An Garda Síochána, including training and the appointment of specialist staff.

Deputy General Secretary Antoinette Cunningham says this process is one of the most important recommendations of the Labour Court agreement of 2016.

“At that stage we were outside any formal mechanism to negotiate pay, but we made our case strongly and today is an historic one for all members of An Garda Síochána.

“We welcome this legislative change and believe it is one that will ensure Gardaí for generations to come will feel valued and listened to.”

AGSI represents 2300 Sergeants and Inspectors in 31 Branches across the country.