To: Each Branch Secretary – Attention All Members
Date: 3rd June 2016
News Update: 008/16

Colleagues,

Successful outcome at Adjudication
The Union has won an important case at Adjudication, in relation to a proposal to outsource part of the PSSC helpdesk function during the migration and registration of the Revenue Payroll to the PSSC portal.

In his finding the Adjudicator recognised that the CPSU had considerable concerns about the possibility of outsourcing or privatisation of shared services however noted our cooperation in the move to a shared payroll service notwithstanding our deep misgivings.

Given the deep concerns held by CPSU on the matter, he went on to say that in the interests of maintaining and improving good industrial relations it would be desirable to avoid the use of external services.

In the circumstances, the Adjudicator did not accept that the provision of the help desk service in the context of the migration of the Revenue Payroll to the Payroll Shared Service actually required the procurement of external services. The help desk is capable of being provided from within the resources of the Civil Service.

Accordingly he found on behalf of the Union stating that is not reasonable for Management to procure external services to provide help desk support to Revenue Staff at the time when the Revenue payroll is migrating to the PSSC.

Garda National Immigration Bureau
Discussions continued at Justice Departmental Council this week on the proposed transfer of GNIB to the Department of Justice, a move expected to be completed during the month of July.

Various issues raised by members about seniority, promotions, training and transfers within Justice or back to An Garda Siochana were discussed and will be reported to members in GNIB at a general meeting today. Further discussions are also planned with both Garda and Justice Management next week.

Work Force Planning / Garda
Now that a new Government is in place we expect negotiations on work force planning and future budgets to gather pace. We have expressed our concerns over the speed of the process to date and the difficulties that presents as a result, in particular the on-going requirement to adequately resource the Organisation, whatever about growing the Civilian side, even normal course vacancies are turning into a negotiation.

We have had some success in terms of new recruits for GISC but we continue a policy of non-cooperation until such time as staffing needs are met. This is a policy that we should contemplate countrywide across the whole Organisation.

EO Competition / Garda
Members will be aware that we wrote to the Commissioner over the unacceptable delays in the EO Competition. While the Commissioner has not responded directly I have now been advised that on foot of our representations that the preliminary interviews are proceeding. This is an important outcome but it has to be said that the situation should not have been allowed to develop in the way that it did.

Obviously in the context of work force planning we continue to argue for a more solid civilian structure including additional posts at EO Level.

Garda Civilian Council
Civilian Council was rescheduled this month and now takes place on the 23rd June, at which debate on these important matters will continue.

We will in a related fashion also be questioning the Commissioner’s commitment to the implementation of the key recommendations in the Garda Inspectorate Report.

Statement of Strategy 2016 / 18
We have made a submission to the Commissioner on the Statement of Strategy for the next two years which is currently being developed.

The Submission majors on our key concerns around the role of civilians in An Garda Siochana and the development of an appropriate structure as per the recommendations of the Inspectorate. Currently civilians represent 14% of the workforce which compares very poorly with other comparative forces examined by the Inspectorate. Therefore, much to do and particularly at middle management level.

The Irish Independent had coverage of our submission last Tuesday and we were also interviewed on RTE’s Drivetime show arising from the coverage.

Garda Authority
We are preparing submissions for the Authority on the proposed Code of Ethics for An Garda Siochana, which is one of the first major tasks facing the Authority.

We will also seek to meet the Authority on foot of their invitation recently to discuss our submission and indeed other matters that fall within their remit.

Bullying and Harassment
A final draft of the proposed Bullying and Harassment policy for staff of An Garda Siochana has been circulated to the Garda National Committee for consideration. It is expected that this Policy will be finalised in coming weeks

Garda Vetting
A meeting of Garda Vetting reps took place on Friday 13th May at which we have progressed an agenda for continuing discussions with Management on such matters as;

• E-vetting
• Staff resources
• Transfers
• Management styles and supervision

A meeting with Management is scheduled to take place in Thurles on the 8th June.

Time and Attendance
Discussions continue with members in the DMR over the implementation of the Time and Attendance system, of particular concern is the issue of how other groups are treated and the question of whether different work patterns in various stations can continue.

Closure of Harcourt Square
Discussions continue with our Committee in Harcourt Square over the proposed departure from Harcourt Square. Currently a number of other Offices are under consideration, most recently the Setanta Centre has become an option. The Union visited Setanta Centre with other Unions and Associations and have made a positive submission to Management following the visit.

GISC
A policy of non-cooperation continues in GISC over the lack of staffing resources. We have made progress at CO level and there has been some promotion of Garda staff from the EO interdepartmental panel as we await our own competition.
The policy we have adopted is affecting proposed new rosters, changes in crime classification and other matters.

GSOC
The Union met with management at the Garda Ombudsman Office in recent weeks and had a wide ranging discussion on issues of concern for our members there. In particular we have pressed for an EO competition, the filling of vacancies and training particularly for handling difficult clients.

We expect to follow up on these issues in the next couple of weeks and we are also having a discussion with the Executive Committee about attaching our members in GSOC to a Branch in the City.

Department of Justice
At Council yesterday the Union formally sought agreement on the holding of a new internal EO Competition. We also sought a final response from management on the question of the Solicitor’s panel. We had made a submission on this matter which highlighted our concerns, in particular the potential loss of EO posts.

Immigration Control Dublin Airport
The Department has advised the Union that a new competition (advertised today) will take place to fill Immigration Control Officer Positions at the Airport. It is expected that Civilian staff will fully take over Terminal 2 by the end of the year.

The Union is also in discussions with Management about the treatment of bank holidays for our members in the Airport and other outstanding matters. We will arrange for a meeting at the Airport in coming weeks to update members.

Yours sincerely

Derek Mullen
Deputy General Secretary