Co Kildare Gardaí are meeting today following ballot results today showing 95.3% show of support for industrial action.
Following a long running campaign by the Garda Representative Association for improved pay and conditions, ballots were posted to Co Kildare Gardaí and nationally, in a bid to vote for industrial action.
Tomorrow, Garda representatives from all over the country are assembling in Tullamore. It is anticipated that the results from today's meetings in Co Kildare will be up for discussion.
Having rejected the Lansdowne Road agreement Gardaí are currently receiving no pay increments. This affects anyone with less than 17 years’ service in the force, or 62% of rank-and-file Gardaí.
There are similar concerns within the force over additional working hours and the loss of allowances imposed as a result of the Croke Park and Haddington Road agreements.
Naas based Garda and Co Kildare GRA representative, John Joe O'Connell said: "I am delighted at the huge show of participation in this ballot."
Garda O'Connell is appealing for the Government to reverse the decision to implement a pay freeze under FEMPI, which sees new recruits remaining on a wage of just €23, 131 for at least another two years.
Garda O'Connell said: "One key issue has been the government’s insistence that Gardaí work extra hours without payment, this is unacceptable in the current economic climate. "
General Secretary of the NRA, Pat Ennis has sent a letter to over 10,000 Gardaí nationally in a bid to get them to take industrial action.
The letter said: "This ballot will establish the level of anger of the members and your desire to take action because of the continued dilution of your pay and conditions."
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