This Is Guernsey

By Nick Mann

UNOFFICIAL strike action is set to grip Guernsey on Monday. Sources say that States Works employees were being told yesterday not to go to work because ‘it’s a day of strike’.

Airport firemen were also talking about similar moves, although feelings were reportedly not as strong. Action could also happen at the harbours.

The island is entering a summer of discontent with manual workers unhappy with their pay offer as inflation spirals. States Works employs around 230 people. These include road cleaners, people working at the tip, sewage cart drivers, traffic light maintenance and signs and lines.

Contingency plans are in place, although details were not being released until it happens.

The Guernsey Press exclusively revealed yesterday that sewage cart drivers had voted in favour of industrial action.

Unite’s regional industrial organiser Ron Le Cras said that no official position was being taken.

‘Public sector workers are very upset at the pay offer by the Public Sector Remuneration Committee. If anything happens, that’s up to the members,’ he said.

‘But I wouldn’t be surprised if there was action because of the feelings.’

The pay deal should have been settled in January.

Public sector employees are asking for a rise equivalent to September’s RPI figure of 4.9% plus 3%.

States policy is to keep pay rises at RPI or below.

PSRC handles negotiations on behalf of the States and has referred the issue to industrial disputes.

But this has also angered employees.

‘Public sector employees still feel we’re in the middle of talks. We had agreed to another meeting with the committee,’ said Mr Le Cras.

‘We were in the middle of a stewards meeting, which we told PSRC we wanted to do before meeting them again, when I was given a fax saying PSRC had registered a dispute. That has offended the public sector employees.’

Industrial disputes officer Mick Fooks was asked to help on 11 July.

He held a meeting with the committee on Thursday.

Mr Fooks said that extensive attempts were made to arrange a meeting with Unite but it had been more difficult to convene for a variety of reasons. That will take place on Monday 28 July.

‘Unlike the UK, the industrial disputes law does not place any rules or restrictions on the taking of industrial action,’ said Mr Fooks.

‘However, the law is specific in the process, which means that both parties, once a dispute has been notified, know that there will be a final outcome.’

He added that many disputes were resolved at the conciliation stage. If that failed, it could go to private arbitration or a tribunal which would make a binding decision.

‘It is always best for the parties to achieve a negotiated agreement wherever possible, rather than have a decision made which either or both may not want.’

Article posted on 19th July, 2008 - 9.35am