Gardaí's first ever work-to-rule starts today - here's what it means
Mary Lou McDonald has said gardaí should have the right to strike, as sergeants and inspectors conduct their first ever work-to-rule today.
They are refusing to log into their PULSE computer system for 24 hours in their row over pay, and are set to join their rank-and-file colleagues in withdrawing their labour on four days next month.
Gardaí are not legally allowed to strike. Sinn Féin Deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald said that should change, adding: "They have a right to organise. Gardaí are workers like everybody else and have to have mechanisms to resolve their issues.
"If you're asking me would I ever say they cannot have the right to withdraw their labour - no, I can’t say that."
Garda sergeants and inspectors are on a work-to-rule today, for the first time ever.
It is the start of an historic campaign of industrial action over pay and conditions which includes four strike days next month.
From 7am this morning, thousands of middle-ranking officers are not using their PULSE computer system for 12 hours.
Their representative association the AGSI will resume talks with Department of Justice officials today to try to hammer out a deal. They met for three hours yesterday with the same objective.
In what was seen as a confidence-building measure, AGSI leaders agreed to tweak their action today and allow a number of custody sergeants in stations to use the Garda Pulse system to process prisoners being brought in for questioning or being taken to court.
Sources described yesterday's meeting as “constructive” and said negotiations were “continuing” but declined to indicate whether any real progress was being made.
Meanwhile, talks between the Garda Representative Association and the department also continue today after discussions on Tuesday.
Sources agreed the talks over the coming days were critical in averting the unprecedented strike action on November 4, 11, 18, and 25 involving up to 12,500 members. Sources speculated that the talks could continue over the weekend.
