Airport pay row edges closer to formal dispute
Saturday 9th May 2009, 2:29PM BST.
The airport firefighters row could become an industrial dispute, if the States pay body and the Public Services Department get their way.
Talks aimed at bringing a settlement broke down on Thursday and the firefighters are refusing to recognise a formal agreement signed on 20 February.
It made explicit provision for binding arbitration in the event of a negotiated settlement not being reached by today.
Public Sector Remuneration Committee chairman Al Brouard said three elected firefighter representatives had signed the contract.
‘One of the spokesmen, who is now saying he does not recognise the agreement, is himself a signatory to it,’ said Deputy Brouard (pictured).
‘Airport firefighters have every right to pursue their claim – but they should do so in accordance with the procedure to which they have agreed, and not through disrupting travel plans.’
The firefighters have warned that disruption to flying at Guernsey Airport is likely after the agreement runs out today.
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It’s in black and white people. Firemen sign up, happy to take the extra hand out, commot to arbitration and now welching on the deal.
Looking forward to the apolgists’ response. :)
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Pleeeeease!!! No flight delays…I leave Australia at midnight tonight and have a Guernsey flight tomorrow evening. After 25 hours of travelling we just want to get home! PLEASE NO STRIKES!!!
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Apologists’ response especially for Jackie.
Can you explain why the deputy insutrial relations officer (an employee of the States) refused to register a dispute?
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I’m sure that there must be some airport firemen in Poland, Latvia or an other Eastern European country who would be more than happy to replace the current lot we have in Guernsey for the same salary, and who would commit to covering for their colleagues if illness should strike.
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Well done “Red” Ron Le Cras you really have the island at heart don’t you.
Cause as much grief to traveling families and medical cases waiting to travel for urgent treatment, so that you can blackmail the authorities.
It seems to me that you are using the trade union bully boy tactics from the old days.
Shame on you.
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Greg: Are you for real? You would be willing to bring in guest workers from Latvia, Poland or other Eastern European countries to work unlimited hours and be exploited? Also it would cost the island dearly as they would be entitled to relocation allowances and housing allowance etc – perhaps they would require training (I don’t know if all airports provide the same level of cover)? If you are so keen why don’t you apply to become an airport fireman?
The problems being experienced at the airport are ongoing and have been building up for years. It is not as simple as just covering for sickness. There is ongoing training which results in absences for 3-4 weeks at a time on a regular basis, there is holiday cover – I guess each fireman gets about 4-5 weeks a year as they work bank holidays. Add it all up and that is an awful lot of shifts to cover. If they have the basic minimum cover at the moment this will result in the current status quo – and it seems that no one in authority is willing to accept that there is a problem. The firemen have a choice and can legitimately refuse to work overtime – we don’t work in a communist state YET!
I do understand why people travelling for medical treatment are very upset at the possibility of flights being cancelled. As i understand it from the last time there was a problem, the bigger the plane the more firemen have to be on duty. The smaller planes kept flying so perhaps the airlines should have a contingency plan to cover for this?
Of course the best thing to do would be to sort the problem out but it seems the PSRC are asking for arbitration and the industrial disputes officer is saying there is no reason for it! I am puzzled ……..
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Merlin, i’m serious. We import a lot of labour for postions that we cannot fill with local people. It seems pretty obvious that the local people don’t find the prospects of being an airport fireman attractive at the current remuneration package, and the States aren’t keen to increase the package. Therefore perhaps the solution is to look overseas?
Obviously the correct training would have to be undertaken, although i’m suggesting using already qualified individuals. I’m sure the current package offered is better than in Latvia, Poland etc.
Personally I’m not interested in the position!
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