The representative association for soldiers, sailors and airmen in the Defence Forces unanimously passed a motion yesterday not to recommend acceptance of the benchmarking report, unless a number of issues are addressed.
PDFORRA is on a collision course with the Government unless specific issues are addressed by the Minister for Defence, Mr Smith, the association's 11th annual delegate conference heard in Ennis, Co Clare.
Through the benchmarking process, the vast majority of soldiers received a 4 per cent pay increase, which was described as a pittance by a number of delegates. According to the association's general secretary, Mr Gerry Rooney, yesterday's motion could lead to rejection in a forthcoming ballot.
To avoid a ballot, Mr Rooney said PDFORRA was demanding that Mr Smith ensure that all increases under 10 per cent be paid over a shorter timescale, and the issue of differing levels of military service allowance be addressed.
Mr Rooney told delegates: "The findings of the benchmarking body are a huge disappointment for our members in the light of their commitment, both at home and overseas.
"We must find ways of addressing the serious injustice which has arisen, or once again we will have massive recruitment and retention problems. We must have a response to the issues raised at this conference."
This was supported by the PDFORRA president, Mr Éamon Lafferty, who told the Minister the association expected creative thinking in addressing the injustice which had emerged through benchmarking.
Earlier, the short service contract policy introduced for soldiers, airman and sailors in 1994 also came under attack.
Mr Rooney told the conference: "Currently, there are 600 people leaving the Defence Forces every year. The organisation is under immense pressure to replace these people - despite very effective recruitment campaigns.
"In the coming years, those recruited in 1994 and still serving as privates will be discharged. This is ridiculous in the present climate." Mr Rooney urged the Minister to review the short-term contract policy.
Mr Rooney said: "It now stands at 12 years for privates and 21 years for junior non-commissioned officers. This policy has the potential to summarily discharge very good people of private rank - and this will also have a demotivating effect on colleagues and on morale in general.
"With present levels of natural wastage, surely we should be seeking ways of retaining people and not the opposite."
