Defence force rank-and-file to sue for promotion

RANK-AND-FILE members of the Defence Forces will go to the courts over the promotion system used by local commanders, a conference heard yesterday.

PDFORRA, the association representing soldiers, airmen and sailors, said local generals (GOCs) were ignoring promotion policies agreed at Defence Forces Headquarters level.

“PDFORRA will be committed to resisting such a practice among GOCs, as will the individuals themselves, through the grievance procedures and the courts,” said association general secretary Gerry Rooney.

Addressing delegates in Waterford, PDFORRA president Willie Webb said local military management were developing their own promotion policies.

“This year we have seen Brigade Commanders develop their own local policies on promotion, while at the same time ignoring the agreed policies of Defence Forces Headquarters. This is totally unacceptable and will lead to serious demoralisation of key personnel.”

The Defence Forces had just introduced a Human Resource Strategy which encourages people to set their career goals to Defence Forces priorities through improved performance and career management.

“This new policy will lead to confusion, as local commanders set goals and challenges contrary to agreed procedures and, furthermore, many soldiers will not be briefed on what exactly ‘Defence Forces priorities’ are from year to year.”

Echoing his general secretary, Mr Webb said: “PDFORRA will be reviewing this new ‘career development’ very closely and will take the inevitable injustices through the grievance procedures and the courts if necessary.”

PDFORRA called on the Department of Defence to set up a structured system to encourage members to seek promotion to officer ranks.

Defence Minister Willie O’Dea said he was anxious to see progress in this area. “There should be no perception of a glass ceiling within the Defence Forces.

“I am firmly of the view that every recruit should have a reasonable expectation of being promoted to officer level by virtue of his or her leadership qualities, ability and character.”

PDFORRA also called for a 16% increase in pay as part of the benchmarking process, which is supposed to compare public sector wages to those in the private sector.