Garda sergeants and inspectors reject travel and subsistence scheme

Members of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) have rejected a new garda travel and subsistence scheme following a vote. A total of 59.6% of the eligible membership took part in the ballot, with 88.7% of valid votes cast against the scheme and 11.3% in favour. The result follows more than six years of negotiations and engagement between AGSI and garda management, including discussions through the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). AGSI said it had accepted the scheme when it was published on the understanding that it reflected agreements reached during the WRC process. However, the association said serious concerns arose later over garda management's interpretation of the scheme and how it proposed to implement it. According to AGSI, aspects of management's approach differed from what had been agreed during the WRC process. Its national executive then decided that members directly affected by the scheme should decide whether it be accepted in its published and interpreted form. That membership has now rejected the scheme by a majority. AGSI general secretary Ronan Clogher said the result did not represent opposition to the need for a 'fair and modern' travel and subsistence scheme. Instead, he said, it reflected members' concerns about how the scheme was being interpreted and implemented. He added that AGSI had accepted the published scheme on the basis that it reflected agreements reached through the WRC process. 'When management's subsequent interpretations raised serious concerns, it was right that our members should have the final say,' he continued. 'They have now made their decision, and AGSI will act on that mandate.' AGSI said it will formally notify Garda management of the ballot result. GRA industrial action averted It comes just days after the threat of industrial action by frontline gardaí leading up to the visit of US president Donald Trump to Ireland this weekend was averted. An emergency meeting of the governing body of the Garda Representative Association (GRA) will now be held the following week in a bid to agree on actions targeting 'specific events'. GRA national representatives are now consulting with divisional representatives around the country regarding the cancellation of garda leave and rest breaks in order to police EU presidency events and the US visit. The GRA, which has around 11,740 members, is also seeking legal advice on some of the options that have been put forward. It followed Garda HQ's designation of the days leading up to and during Mr Trump's visit on September 12 and 13 as an 'extraordinary event'. These events involve the cancellation of leave, extended working hours and restrictions, or cancellation of rest breaks. It followed declarations of 'extraordinary events' for previous EU presidency events, with more events to come in the months ahead. One of the issues for gardaí regarding the visit is the requirement for gardaí in Dublin to find their own accommodation in Co Clare when Mr Trump travels to his golf club in Doonbeg, where the Irish Open finishes on Sunday.