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.

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.

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.