Planned industrial action for Friday 4th November by members of the Association of Garda Sergeants & Inspectors (AGSI) and Garda Representative Association (GRA) has been called off at the eleventh hour.
Strike action was averted as the GRA which represents 10,500 rank and file Gardaí considers the recommendation of the Labour Court which held meetings today. The Labour Court recommendation aimed at resolving the GRA row is expected to cost significantly more than the €30 million originally provided in an offer rejected by the association’s executive.
Under these latest GRA proposals, the rent allowance for gardaí of around €4,000 will be increased from 1 January 2017 – because of the “evolving” rental market by €500 per year.
Earlier on Thursday night before the industrial action was cancelled, a statement from the Garda Press Office revealed the arrangements put in place to ensure “we can provide a policing and security service that meets the most urgent needs of individuals and communities”.
Under these arrangements three Garda stations in Co Clare would remain open regardless of a strike, namely Ennis, Kilrush and Shannon. The police force were willing to accept emergency calls to the seventy eight stations that would have opened across the country. Shannon Airport would have operated as normal while speed cameras would have still been on roads in the County.