The airport fire station gates are unlocked for the meeting with the chief minister that brought about the end of the dispute. (Picture by Adrian Miller, 0779304)

PUBLIC SERVICES did a dramatic U-turn in agreeing to pay firefighters £4,000 to keep the airport open for a year, it emerged yesterday.

The department had already rejected the same deal, which was eventually signed on Wednesday, more than three weeks ago.

Firefighters made the offer to PSD chief officer Adrian Lewis on 7 May.

The department, along with the Public Sector Remuneration Committee, dismissed it as inappropriate – insisting it wanted a permanent solution having previously agreed other temporary deals. However, 20 days later and after firefighters went on strike by reducing cover at the airport to zero, and after the PSRC had been removed as negotiator by the Emergency Powers Authority, PSD changed its stance and agreed to the deal.

States members reacted with outrage this week as they learned that the Emergency Powers Authority – Chief Minister Lyndon Trott and six other ministers – had backed the PSD and agreed to the demands of the firefighters.

Many now believe the move has put the States in an impossible situation regarding future negotiations with public sector staff.