PRESS STATEMENT

By the Garda Representative Association (GRA)

19^th January 2010

GRA canvassing members’ views on industrial action

The Garda Representative Association has despatched questionnaires to all 11,600 members, seeking their views on taking action in the event of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions engaging in further industrial action in relation to public sector pay.

The GRA has taken this decision on moral grounds to establish the level of anger and desire to take action over the continued government policy to reduce Garda pay.

General Secretary PJ Stone said, “Our members have had their pay reduced by five successive measures in the past year, causing unprecedented levels of anger and despair. Our members are working harder than ever to face down increasing crime with reduced garda numbers.

“We are all collectively aware of the poor state of the economy, but we are seeing rising levels of resentment that garda pay is disproportionately cut to pay for the unregulated greed of others overseen by this very same government.”

Members will receive the receipted questionnaire from today through the postal system, and are asked to return their completed questionnaire by 5pm on Wednesday, February 10^th 2010.

PJ Stone said, “We announced this exercise in early December 2009, and now the media speculation has rescinded, our members will be given time for reflection on how they want us to proceed. During the timeframe, the full extent of the savage cuts in their pay will be apparent as the recent government Budget takes its full toll. Members will be clearly aware of the impact on pay when they compare forthcoming wage slips with those from last January.

A garda with less than ten years’ service will see their take home pay typically reduced by over €80 per week – a decrease of 18% – compared like-for-like with net earnings last year.

ENDS

Below content of the Questionnaire sent to all GRA members

QU E S T I O N N A I R E

The Central Executive Committee of the Garda Representative Association does not recommend any one or more of the options set out below. This Questionnaire is intended solely to establish the views of the membership of the Garda Representative Association at this sensitive time.

Would you consider any of the following courses of action in the event of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions engaging in further industrial action arising from decisions of the Government in relation to public sector pay?

Please select ONE preference only by placing an X in the box of your preferred option.

          1.Take no further steps.

          2.Take such steps short of the withdrawal of services as may be determined by the Central Executive                                 Committee of the Garda Representative Association.                                                                                          

          3.Withdraw your services.

          4.Other proposals – please indicate: ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………


Members considering opting for the third option above must have regard to Section 59 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005.

Procedure
Fold the paper and put it in the questionnaire envelope; then place the envelope and the receipt duly signed in the covering prepaid envelope and send to Returning Officer, Messer Merry Mullen Co., Chartered Accountants, 35 Westland Square, Pearse Street, Dublin 2, to reach the Returning Officer NOT LATER THAN 5 p.m. on Wednesday, 10th February, 2010.

RESULT OF GRA QUESTIONNAIRE 2 p.m. Thurs. 11/02.10
Total Vote 5,540

Would you consider any of the following courses of action in the event of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions engaging in further industrial action arising from decisions of the Government in relation to public sector pay?
1.Take no further steps - 401 votes - 7.2%
2. Take such steps short of the withdrawal of services as may be determined by the Central Executive Committee of the GRA - 3,622 - 65.4%
3.Withdraw your services - 1,020 votes - 18.4%
4. Other proposals – please indicate - 490 votes - 8.8%
Spoiled votes: 7.
The Association thanks all members who participated and our Central Executive Committee will now formulate action to give effect to the overwhelming 93% of members who supported industrial action.

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