AGSI continue to work on your behalf in relation to our key demands of pay restoration, access to an effective industrial relations process and a deferral of the proposed increment pay freeze.
It is evident to the National Executive that our campaign which was announced at our Annual Delegate Conference is bearing fruit. It was essential that we followed through with our commitment to march and protest. The Executive are satisfied that without your support at our march in May and your encouragement to continue to campaign, we would not be making any progress with Government in relation to your concerns. As things stand we are now engaged in a series of meetings with a view to finding a resolution to our concerns.
The President, General Secretary and Secretary met with officials from the Department of Justice, the Department of Public Expenditure and Senior Garda management again on Tuesday 7th June. Let me be entirely honest, there is still a lot of work to be completed but I can now advise our members that we are currently engaging with Government in relation to six areas:
1 The completion of the review of An Garda Síochána under the Haddington Road Agreement
2 Future pay determination arrangements for members of An Garda Síochána
3 Future dispute resolution mechanisms for members of An Garda Síochána
4 Restoration of rent allowance to new entrants to An Garda Síochána
5 Reform and modernisation agenda
6 Additional hours
1 The completion of the review of An Garda Síochána under the Haddington Road Agreement
AGSI are anxious to have the review concluded. We have received assurances from the Department that they are committed to reestablishing the HRA review under a new chair.
2 Future pay determination arrangements for members on An Garda Síochána
Work still needs to be done in relation to this area. However, we believe with determination that AGSI can achieve the right to have direct access to future pay determination and participation on an equal basis with other public sector representative bodies.
3 Future dispute resolution mechanisms for members of An Garda Síochána
AGSI have been unhappy with the existing Conciliation and Arbitration process which was found to be dysfunctional by the European Social Committee and we are focusing an having this matter addressed through our discussions.
4 Restoration of rent allowance to new entrants to An Garda Síochána
While this is not a matter directly impacting our members we are aware our members are dissatisfied with the current situation. This is an area under discussion also within the talks.
5 Reform and Modernisation Agenda
AGSI have come out strongly in a media statement today (9th June) in relation to this matter. We wrote to the Commissioner advising her that we will not be able to support the modernisation and review programme until our pay issues are resolved.
6 Additional Hours
AGSI’s position is that we honoured our commitment under Haddington Road while Government did not. Consequently we see no reason to continue to work these hours. This remains a key issue that needs to be resolved as we remain divided on this matter.
AGSI have highlighted the need for Government to remove the threat to impose any increment freeze while we are in discussions. We are also of the view that if there was to be a document agreed between us and Government that the freeze must also not be implemented while we communicate and engage with our members. Of course the National Executive will be directed by our membership in relation an any proposal.
