Hi °C | Lo °C GARDA Commissioner Martin Callinan has told Gardai in Templemore that while he empathises with their position, he cannot condone “a campaign of industrial action.”
He has already said he will meet representatives of the Garda Representative Association (GRA) to outline whether he believes cuts to Garda pay will have a negative effect on policing and morale.
Mr Callinan earlier confirmed he has arranged to hold a meeting "very soon" to listen to the concerns and issues raised by the union.
He told Gardai today that he understands they are venting frustration and anger at proposed cuts to their pay packets and admitted that if he were in their position he would probably do the same.
He added that the force faced similar difficulties in the 1980s when he was a young married man.
Earlier the GRA, which represents 11,300 rank and file members, passed a motion requesting the Garda Commissioner to publicly address the negative effect to Garda morale resulting from speculative proposals to cut Garda pay and other proposed changes to working conditions.
"The GRA is convinced that the Garda Commissioner is unaware of the impact of pay cuts and lack of resources on his workforce, and we seek an urgent meeting to give him a first-hand account of members' difficulties in all Garda Divisions," it added.
