Gardaí warn over pay talks

Middle ranking gardaí will protest and demonstrate their anger if the Government seeks to cut pay or their allowances as part of a move to generate €1 billion in savings on the public service pay bill, their representative body has warned.

Speaking after talks this evening as part of the proposed extension to the Croke Park agreement , the general secretary of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors John Redmond aid his members were quite adamant in relation to any changes or adjustments to their existing allowances.

“Sunday premium and twilight hours and allowances that our members work hard to earn are very definitely off the table as far as we are concerned and we will not countenance any reduction or any adjustment to those allowances.”

Asked about warnings last week by Taoiseach Enda Kenny that the Government may legislate to cut public sector pay if agreement on a proposed extension to the Croke Park deal cannot be reached, Mr Redmond said: “Our view is he is at liberty to do that but if he does that he will have to expect and be prepared for what is going to happen.”

“My members have relayed to us through AGMs over the past three weeks that they are beside themselves with anger over what is going on with regard to the attack on their pay and allowances. I do not know how much more they are going to take without standing up to be counted.”

He said members of the association would not become involved in any “blue flu” episode - where many gardai called in sick on one particular day.

However Mr Redmond said there would be protests and there would “be a demonstration of our anger and annoyance at the way government intends to treat us”.

Meanwhile the union representing lower-paid civil servants said management in that sector wanted savings to be made by the introduction of additional working hours for staff “coupled with an extension of the working day from 8.00 am to 8.00 pm and potentially across a six-day week”.

The Civil Public and Services Union said management envisaged new rostering flexibility “and a consequent impact” on existing flexi-time arrangements and the provision for a shorter working year. The union said management also raised re-deployment and out-sourcing in the discussions.

“ We made clear and pointed comments about our concerns and difficulties with all of the above.”