Over 250 members of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors marched to Garda Headquarters today.
(SourceLThe Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors says it had no choice but to protest today.
Earlier today 250 members of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors marched to Garda Headquarters.
It's embroiled in a dispute with Garda Commissioner Drew Harris, over claims he's refusing to allow members to return to their pre-pandemic working hours.
When covid hit, a temporary, more unpredictable rostering system was introduced - which has been extended 15 times since then.
Sergeant Paul Wallace from Letterkenny Garda Station in Co Donegal was among 250 AGSI members who marched to Garda HQ today and he has said they're anxious to return to the old system, as promised.
The AGSI says after one meeting of the internal process, Commissioner Harris now wants to elevate the matter to the Workplace Relations Commission.
Former deputy general secretary of the AGSI, Tony Gallagher, says forcing sergeants and inspectors to work 9 to 5 leaves frontline gardaí exposed at night-time:
'When you had the results of the ballots coming in, I mean, that was something that was meant to be discussed back at conciliation, and instead the commissioner must have thrown his hands up'.
The AGSI says that’s premature and feels the dispute could be resolved if the Commissioner would just engage with members on the ground.
They’re also calling on Justice Minister Simon Harris to intervene.
Further days of action like this are expected, unless there’s a breakthrough in the meantime.
The AGSI's National Executive will meet next week to decide what form that action will take - but they say they’re not ruling anything out.
