07.12.2009
The Garda Representative Association (GRA) today announced it is to ballot its members on industrial action.
The GRA said it made the decision following the collapse of talks between union leaders and government officials to broker a deal on cutting €1.3bn from the public-sector pay bill.
Under the Garda Síochána Act, members are not allowed to engage in industrial action, with a withdrawal of labour by any member punishable by up to five years imprisonment.
The GRA openly admitted today it had not taken legal advice on the move to ballot its members on industrial action.
It also said it was aware of the consequences for any of its members for engaging in industrial action.
However, announcing the move this morning, the GRA General Secretary PJ Stone said the State should no longer be permitted to use the law to deny Gardai the right to engage in industrial action.
Stone said the GRA was taking the action as Gardai now felt “valueless and worthless”.
GRA members will cast their votes in about two weeks’ time, when they will be asked if they will withdraw their labour during any potential public-sector strike days organised by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU).
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