Cork gardaí raise spectre of ‘blue flu’ in pay cut rebellion

More than 350 gardaí in Cork have voted overwhelmingly in favour of a motion of no confidence in the justice minister and the Garda commissioner, in the first tangible sign of insurrection over proposed wage cuts.

Members of three divisions — Cork City, Cork West, and Cork North — also voted in favour of a work-to-rule, followed by a “blue flu” if the Government presses ahead with proposed cuts to garda wages and allowances.

Garda Mick Corcoran, a member of the central executive committee of the Garda Representative Association (GRA), confirmed the vote of no confidence in Justice Minister Alan Shatter and Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan was “almost unanimous” at a meeting of gardaí last night at the Rochestown Park Hotel.

The rebel action is expected to mark the start of more widespread resistance on foot of growing frustration and anger at Department of Justice attempts to generate savings of €60m in the Garda pay and pensions bill.

John Parker, president of the GRA, said morale was “at an all time low”.

Mr Parker, who did not attend the meeting, said he was not surprised at the outcome, given “the possibility of being unable to pay bills and the threat of losing the family home”, that many gardaí face.

The GRA has already withdrawn from talks on an extension to the Croke Park agreement.

The organisation representing rank-and-file gardaí is the second Garda body to withdraw from talks on an extension to the Croke Park Agreement saying gardaí “cannot accept any further reduction in garda pay nor can they accept a reduction in the terms and conditions of their employment”.

The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors has also withdrawn, saying it could not accept the level of payroll reductions being sought.

Earlier this week, Mr Callinan said he had no knowledge of “blue flu” or work-to-rule by gardaí and that he would not support industrial action.