More strike action possible as talks falter

By Joel de Woolfson

Pic Mr Ron Le Cras 0289422

FURTHER strike action will take place if the States does not back down and resume pay talks with public service workers.
The Public Sector Remuneration Committee has decided against further discussions after seven months of talks and the matter will now be decided by either the industrial disputes officer, or an industrial tribunal.
Unite union regional organiser Ron Le Cras said that workers were angered by the PSRC’s stance.
He met shop stewards last night and said the States’ attitude would be to blame if further industrial action took place.
‘They have had fair warning that while there was talking there would be no industrial action,’ he said.
‘If the talking has stopped, there is likely to be industrial action.’
There had been fears that workers would walk out during the August bank holiday weekend, causing maximum disruption for islanders.
But Mr Le Cras said workers had not yet decided on a date to strike, although he would not rule out the possibility of a bank holiday walkout.
‘There will be a strategy meeting called that will decide what is happening and when,’ he said.
‘This gives the States time to get around a table and make us a sensible offer above RPI that could avert industrial action.
‘It will be the States fault if action happens.’
Although there are several factors involved in the dispute, the central argument has centred on the public service workers’ pay claim.
The employees, which include sewage cart drivers, non-medical hospital staff, dairy workers and some harbour staff, have asked for September’s RPI figure of 4.9% plus 3%.
The PSRC has so far offered a flat 3% rise.
Mr Le Cras said shop stewards expressed their anger at last night’s meeting at the PSRC’s refusal to hold further talks.
‘The public sector employees feel that everyone in the private sector is getting RPI-plus rises and we feel it is only fair that these workers get the same,’ he said.
‘The States know that is fair so why do they need to be told by a third party.’
If both parties agree to a voluntary arbitration, the industrial disputes offer will give a binding decision. If one side refuses, the dispute will be referred to an industrial tribunal.