MOST of Guernsey’s top civil servants are refusing to say whether they will follow their chief executive’s example and freeze their pay for 2010. 
Chief officers presented a united wall of silence when asked if they, too, would attempt to set an example for other public sector staff.
States of Guernsey chief executive Mike Brown said he would not take a pay rise in 2010 because of the dire state of the island’s finances.
He wanted all public workers to take note of his actions and be responsible in their pay negotiations.
The Guernsey Press approached his fellow chief officers asking if they would follow suit but was told that it was a matter for employee representative groups and not for the individuals.
Mr Brown wrote to the employee organisations responsible for pay talks saying that restraint was important.
‘I made it clear that the States respects the process of collective bargaining and the pay negotiation arrangements which exist. My plea to employee groups was issued on a corporate basis and not a personal one,’ he said.
Mr Brown said he did not expect employees to consider sacrifices that he was not prepared to make himself.
‘My decision of not taking a pay increase in 2010 was to show that I am serious about restraint.’
Simon Elliott, the head of human resources and organisational development, who has responsibility for pay negotiations within the States, has also refused a pay increase.
And Commerce and Employment minister Carla McNulty Bauer said over the weekend that her chief officer, Jon Buckland, would follow suit.
Frank Allen, national secretary for Prospect, said it was unfair to comment on the situation because the union is involved in correspondence with Mr Brown over the matter.
The Association of Guernsey Civil Servants is a branch of the union and Mr Allen confirmed it had received a copy of the letter sent out by the chief executive.
Article posted on 14th October, 2009 - 2.29pm
Most Commented: