THE CORK CITY division of Gardaí have voted unanimously in favour of a ‘blue flu’ as the course of action to be taken if an agreement on their working terms cannot be reached.

Last night one hundred percent of the Cork City Garda division who attended the meeting voted to pass a motion calling for industrial action over the proposed cuts to their pay and allowances.

In a second motion put to the Cork gardaí last night, they voted – again unanimously – for a ‘blue flu’, which involves calling in sick en masse on an agreed date.

It is illegal for gardaí to go on an all-out strike but they can conduct a work-to-rule campaign such as the ‘blue flu’, which has been discussed in industrial conflicts in the past.

The Garda Representative Association (GRA) has said it will not participate in any negotiations on cuts to Garda pay or allowances. However it has asserted that its members are open to any proposals or cost-saving measures that will not impact on pay or hours.

- Additional reporting by Susan Daly.

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