Garda civilian staff threaten industrial action over job advertisement dispute

Civilian staff within An Garda Síochána are on the verge of industrial action as a dispute over the advertisement of senior posts escalates. The Association of Higher Civil and Public Servants (AHCPS) reports that around 90 civilian staff have voted to proceed with a ballot for industrial action.

The core of the disagreement lies in the filling of Principal Officer level roles. The AHCPS asserts that An Garda Síochána has failed to adhere to a long-standing agreement requiring one in every three such posts to be filled internally. This commitment, part of civil service working terms, has allegedly been ignored since 2019.

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In that time, the branch has engaged constructively with appropriate dispute processes, yet have been frustrated in this process by An Garda Síochána who refuse to engage with our members under these terms and have continued to proceed with appointments.

While garda civilian staff are transitioning from the civil service to become direct employees of An Garda Síochána under the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act, the union states this redesignation has not yet been implemented. The AHCPS claims it has repeatedly tried to resolve the issue, but An Garda Síochána has continued with appointments, exacerbating the dispute.

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The branch considers this approach to be inconsistent with the principles of good industrial relations and believe it has undermined confidence in the agreed processes for resolving disputes.

Ciaran Rohan, General Secretary of the AHCPS, expressed frustration, stating that the organization has engaged constructively through dispute processes but has been hindered by An Garda Síochána's refusal to negotiate under agreed terms. "The branch considers this approach to be inconsistent with the principles of good industrial relations and believe it has undermined confidence in the agreed processes for resolving disputes," Rohan said. He added that the external advertisement of these positions sends a discouraging message to current staff, implying they are "not wanted or valued."

If the ballot for industrial action is successful, AHCPS members within the Garda civilian staff are prepared to commence a work-to-rule in the coming weeks. An Garda Síochána has been contacted for comment.

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In addition, the way in which these appointments are being advertised externally sends a clear message to our members that they are not wanted or valued in An Garda Síochána.