Garda roster row: Interim agreement ahead of negotiations on proposed resolution

Four associations representing Garda members have agreed to negotiate with management . File Picture: PA

An agreement has been reached to introduce an interim roster for gardaí ahead of fresh negotiations on a new proposed working pattern.

The latest development comes after management put forward a proposal on Friday aimed at ending the stand-off over the roster.

Four associations representing garda members have agreed to negotiate with management on its proposed resolution.

At a meeting on Monday, the associations and management agreed that an interim roster will be introduced pending the outcome of those negotiations.

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris (Brian Lawless/PA)

The dispute centres on a move by Garda Commissioner Drew Harris to return the roster to its pre-Covid-19 format of six days on and four days off.

Associations had opposed the shift and said the system introduced during the pandemic, of four days on, four days off, with longer shift times than the old roster, gave a better work-life balance.

The old roster, dubbed the Westmanstown roster, was due to come back into effect on November 6.

The Garda Representative Association (GRA), which represents rank and file gardaí, had said their members would withdraw their labour if that plan proceeded. GRA members had previously voted no confidence in Mr Harris.

On Friday, the GRA announced a deferral of the planned industrial action after the fresh proposal was put forward by management.

It is understood that the proposal is for four days on, four days off 12-hour shifts for all members in core units, with non-core members put on the old six days on, four days off 10-hour shifts.

Office staff would return to the pre-Covid pandemic working pattern.

Following Monday’s meeting between management and the four associations, a Garda statement said: “Last Friday, Garda management put forward a proposal on the issue of rosters.

“It was agreed at today’s meeting that an interim roster will come into place shortly.

“It was also agreed at today’s meeting that all four Garda associations will within a short period of time engage with Garda management in internal negotiations on a new roster.”