LAST UPDATE | 13 Mar 2023

GARDA SERGEANTS AND inspectors protested outside the Garda Headquarters in Dublin this morning over a proposed new working roster that would increase the number of days and hours on the clock.

More than 200 members of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) marched to the HQ building from the Phoenix Park to deliver a letter to management to express their discontent.

The association is prepared to hold another demonstration and potentially organise industrial action if progress is not made on resolving the issue, according to its secretary general.

The issue is around so-called “non-core” units which make up specialist gardaí, such as detectives and community policing.

Gardaí affected by the change are unhappy with an arrangement which would see them working for seven straight days before receiving two rest days.

In the new roster, they would work six days on/three days off, then seven days on/two day off and then seven days on/three days off. 

There are also concerns about the possible loss of allowances for working unsociable hours because they would not be expected to perform night duty.

Both garda representative groups, AGSI as well as the Garda Representative Association (GRA) have voted against accepting new working time arrangements for gardaí.

Speaking at the opening of a new garda station on Dublin’s O’Connell Street last week, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said the protests are “unnecessary”.

“Roster issues were subjected to examinations now for some three and a half years – we tried hard internally to find a resolution, that wasn’t possible,” said Harris.

“My view is now that it had to move to the external conciliation service, that’s the WRC (Workplace Relations Commission). That’s presently ongoing, and we certainly will be entering the WRC hopeful of finding a conclusion and resolution.

“I would say that the protest itself will be unnecessary given the action being taken and I don’t think it’s particularly helpful when we’re going into the process of the WRC,” he added.

However, the AGSI said it has appealed on “a number of occasions”, as recently as last week, for Harris to engage directly with them on the issue of rosters.

The AGSI added that Harris “is insisting on elevating the matter to the WRC dispute process, which is premature at this time”.

Speaking at the protest today, AGSI General Secretary Antoinette Cunningham said a second demonstration and even industrial action is possible if garda management does not engage further with the union’s members.

She said the new proposed working arrangements are not conducive to appropriate work-life balance.

“What we have to say to the Garda Commissioner is that he’s not in tune with the feelings of the membership on this issue. He hasn’t listened to us and that’s why over 250 people have turned up here today, when we only asked 100,” Cunningham said.

“So many of the them want to vent their frustration and anger at the Commissioner in relation to this issue.

“Next week our executive will meet and there will be a second day of action. We’re going to discuss that next week but it will be in the form of something like this, an outward demonstration.

“It’s not what we want to do, but unfortunately, [it will happen] unless the Commissioner comes with some significant move on his behalf to try and reengage with AGSI – and that’s all we’re asking for here, is reengagement at local level, nothing more than that.”

She said the union is “absolutely” willing to consider industrial action.

“Our conference will be in four weeks time and we will listen to our delegates at that conference. That gives four weeks for attempts to be made to resolve this dispute.

“If it’s not resolved, or if no significant progress is made, then everything will be discussed at our annual conference in four weeks time.”

Meanwhile, the International Council of Police Representative Associations (ICPRA) has issued a statement of support for the AGSI’s day of action.

General Secretary, Calum Steele, said: “The International police union community stands full square with our colleagues in AGSI as they embark on this unprecedented action in protest over their duty rosters.” 

-With additional reporting from Niall O’Connor and Lauren Boland