This Is Guernsey

By Thom Ogier

Union men for 50 years, Alan Falla, left, and Mick Le Vasseur flank Unite’s regional industrial organiser Ron Le Cras at an event to mark their long service. (Picture by Steve Sarre, 0615155)

TWO members of the Unite union were honoured on Friday for 50 years of dedication. Mick Le Vasseur, 65, and Alan Falla, 64, joined at the age of 14 when they entered full time employment.

Half-a-century later they agreed it had been worth it.  ‘I was paying one shilling and thruppence a week when I joined and I worked 48 hours for £2.50. How things have changed,’ said Mr Le Vasseur.

He said the union had always been a great strength for him. ‘It has helped us negotiate our pay and hours every year and without that support we wouldn’t be where we are today,’ he said.

Mr Le Vasseur started work at Norman’s box factory in 1958. ‘I still remember my first day – the friendly people and the work. I always felt secure because of the firm and the union,’ he said.

But his first union memory dates from 60 years ago.

‘I clearly remember when I was only six opening the door to a union man who was there to see my father,’ he said.

After 50 years in the union, 29 years of marriage to Carol and a 16-year-old daughter, Hannah, Mr Le Vasseur said he would do it all again.

‘I remember some changes in the union, but I have had only five reps in my time, so it has always been steady and consistent,’ he said.

A bigger change was with the nature of the work itself, he said.

‘Everything is automated now. Where one day we would do things by hand, now they use pick-up trucks.’

Mr Le Vasseur still works at Norman Piette two mornings a week.

Mr Falla spent 33 years at Les Nicolles vinery before becoming a caretaker at the College of Further Education, where he still works today.

‘Without the union we would never have what we have now such as holidays and wages. They have done so much good for the island,’ he said.

Mr Falla, who is married to Sylvia, said the union had moved with the times.

‘The way the island is run has changed a lot but the union has kept up to date and looked after us well,’ he said.

Both men said one of the best things about being a member was the good people they have known through it.

South-west regional secretary Laurence Faircloth presented them with plaques and said they deserved recognition.

‘For 50 years they have stuck with it and felt the support of the union. For 50 years they have been members and activists, that’s dedication,’ he said.

Article posted on 4th August, 2008 - 2.29pm