Deputy Michael Lowry says that he understands and supports the stance being taken by the Garda Representative Association (GRA) as it rejects proposed changes to their rostering system that would see some members lose €8,000 of their annual salary while working additional hours.
The new rostering proposal would require Gardaí to be rostered in the four on/four off schedule but with a mixture of 8-hour, 10 hour and 12-hour shifts. This would result in frontline Gardaí, who are required to work a mixture of night and day shifts, being largely on a 12-hour roster. Non-core Gardaí such as Detectives, Community Policing Officers and others who are not rostered on a 24/7 basis, would mainly be on eight-hour shifts.
Deputy Lowry says he can understand why Gardaí have rejected such proposed rosters as the new proposal would result in some Gardai working up to 47 extra days per annum for less take-home pay.The Thurles based TD is asking for in depth engagement between Garda and Management to revise the proposal. The GRA have also contacted the Garda Commissioner Drew Harris to inform him and said they are available to “re-enter meaningful negotiations to find a solution to the impasse”. The Gardaí at present are on a temporary four days on, four days off Covid-19 roster – before that they were on a six day on three day off roster.
