PRESIDENT’S WELCOME
Colleagues,
During July we visited 20 locations across the country to deliver information briefings to members around the Garda Sectoral Agreement of the Lansdowne Road Agreement.
We met over 300 members and I hope we were able to answer all your questions as best we could.
The AGSI National Executive held a Special Executive meeting in August to review the nationwide meetings and compile your feedback. We also hosted a number of meetings last month, which are detailed below, in relation to the Review of the Garda organisation.
You voted in large numbers to accept the Lansdowne Road Agreement and we have written to Government to inform them of the Association’s decision. It is now imperative that Government keep their side of the bargain and deliver on the key points of interest to members, namely:
- No increment freeze.
- Government acknowledges that access to pay negotiations is insufficient and as a matter of principle AGSI will have direct access to future pay talks on an equal basis with other bodies.
- Government agrees in principle that AGSI should have access to the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) and the Labour Court. Government will make the legislative measures required to enact these provisions.
- Agreement with Garda Management on how the Haddington Road hours would be used to introduce consistency across the organisation.
The AGSI National Executive meet next week for our monthly meeting – and a strategy to keep the pressure on Government and engage with the Garda Review process which Branches have been involved in – are high on the agenda
Finally, I was quoted in last week’s Limerick Leader on Garda resources in the Limerick Division. You can read that article here.
Kind Regards,
Antoinette Cunningham.
AGSI President
Lansdowne Road Agreement Ballot
Thanks to every member who came out to meet us over the course of our nationwide information briefings in July ahead of the ballot in August.
71% of those balloted voting in favour of the Garda Sectoral Agreement contained in the LRA. Almost 70% of the Association’s 2,000 members voted on the proposals. That is an excellent turn out for any ballot.
The results in themselves safeguard the increments of members over the next two years which, for those impacted is important. The agreement also provides a roadmap for access to the Workplace Relations Commission and independent pay negotiations by AGSI for its members. It went some way towards addressing the 30 Haddington Road hours which many members were dissatisfied with.
That said, it did not deliver any pay restoration and many people are disappointed in this regard. So too is the National Executive. The National Executive continue to plan around this strategic aim. Part of this strategy is our engagement in the Review which we are actively taking part in.
We will, as always, continue to keep people fully informed as we progress along the road of engagement and negotiations.
Media Statement: Read our statement to the media here.
Media Coverage: Click on the links below to read the media coverage on our LRA ballot.
NewstalkNational Executive Meetings
There were a number of important meetings held over the past few weeks which are detailed below.
Review of An Garda Siochana
Last month AGSI arranged for Sergeants and Inspectors from across the country to meet with Mr. John Horgan, the Chairman of the Review of An Garda Síochána under Haddington Road. Mr. Horgan met a total of 86 Sergeants and Inspectors from a diverse number of locations and duties. A full cross section of roles and responsibilities were represented.
Dublin
10
Dundalk
13
Limerick
9
Galway
11
Cork
15
Dublin
14
Mullingar
10
Waterford
4
Total
86
We would like to thank those members who gave up their time to assist Mr. Horgan in identifying the depth and breadth of work undertaken on a daily basis by both Sergeants and inspectors.
Mr. Horgan will use your insights to assist him in drawing up a picture of what Sergeants and Inspectors do. This information will feed into the process of assessing remuneration rates and hopefully the rate of restoration of money taken from you under the FEMPI legislation.
Release 6.8
Deputy General Secretary Donal Smyth and Executive Member Christy Morrison attended a meeting with Chief Superintendent Finn in relation to Release 6.8.
AGSI brought to his attention areas where the system is not working effectively. Chief Supt. Finn said he is continuing to progress our concerns with a view to streamlining the process. He acknowledges that there may be a difference of approach between areas which need to be addressed. He argued that in areas where it is operated as it should be, members were finding it a benefit. AGSI will reserve our judgment on this for the time being.
Briefing on new 24/7 Independent Helpline & Counselling Services at Westmanstown
John Jacob, Donal Smyth, Tim Galvin and Chris Cronin attended a briefing arranged by Garda management in relation with the other Associations. This was a very informative meeting and provided details on how the help line would operate. They reiterated that the Helpline and Counselling Services would be independent and confidential.
In addition they outlined who could avail of the services and how it had operated for other police services and organisations using it.
Details of a national information roadshow were announced which will provide members across the country an opportunity to hear what is on offer, and to ask questions. Details will be issued shortly by Garda management. Attendance is not compulsory but members are encouraged to attend where at all possible.
AGSI is delighted the service has been rolled out and would like to recognise the work done by former President Tim Galvin, among others in this area. AGSI see this as a valuable service and while it is in its infancy we would encourage members to use it where there is a need and remind colleagues of its availability.
ICT HR Strategy
Two meetings took place in relation to the ICT HR strategy. AGSI was represented by the General and Deputy General Secretary. The meetings were chaired by Chief Superintendent McLoughlin HR & PD. AGSI welcomed clarification from the Chairman that the Commissioner’ strategy had been approved for engagement and consultation at Partnership with the Associations. This is a significantly different position to that previously communicated by the Executive Director for ICT who indicated it had been approved.
While there have been many meetings in relation to the ICT HR strategy over the last number of years AGSI view these meetings as being very productive. We recognise that there is a need to have an effective, efficient and modern Telecommunications and IT section but that must accommodate the opportunity for members within those sections to have a career path. This was the key area of focus.
AGSI is committed to working towards delivering an ICT HR strategy to meet the needs of the Garda organisation. This is in all members’ interests. However, we have some important issues to be addressed before we could agree to implementation. We look forward to constructive engagement with Garda management in the immediate short term.
ICPSA
The General Secretary attended a meeting of the ICPSA. The meeting looked back over issues raised by the delegate Associations and commenced the planning process for the Annual Conference in December.
The meeting considered how the ICPSA could use the Senators nominated by them to best effect to raise issues on Delegate Associations’ behalf. This will be explored further but is seen as an important element in the area of lobbying for the future.
