THE SOUTH DUBLIN branch of the Garda Representative Association has become the latest group of rank-and-file gardaí to vote in favour of industrial action.

At a meeting held amid growing tensions with senior management and government, about 250 members voted unanimously for the GRA to establish guidelines for a work-to-rule, commencing 19 February.

Following similar moves in other parts of the country, motions of no confidence in the Minister for Justice Alan Shatter and Commissioner Martin Callinan were also carried unanimously.

In the past week, gardaí in Tipperary, the north Dublin Metropolitan Region, Cork, Limerick and in one Kerry district voted in favour of industrial action, in the form of work-to-rules or so-called ‘blue flus’. As gardaí cannot, by law, strike, the system is used whereby members call in sick en-masse.

Sources have told TheJournal.ie that an extra motion was passed last night by the South Dublin GRA which would see no garda work in the prison service if prison officers were to go on strike.

On Monday, GRA president John Park said the recent votes at meetings were not “posturing”, adding that members were establishing its position as the government tables its proposals as it seeks to negotiate a successor to the Croke Park Agreement on public sector pay and reform.

MORE: More gardaí vote in favour of industrial action, no confidence in Shatter

Read: Gardaí across the country voting in favour of industrial action

Read Gardaí in Cork City may opt for ‘blue flu’