Accountant drops legal battle against firefighters’ union rep
Friday 22nd October 2010, 2:29PM BST.
A legal battle brought against a union official, who it was claimed was responsible for instigating firefighter action that closed the airport in May 2008, has been dropped.
Accountant Anthony Hopkins, 62 (pictured), withdrew the action he brought against Unite’s regional representative Ron Le Cras to reclaim the £385 he said he and his wife lost when lack of fire cover closed the airport during the bank holiday weekend.
Speaking after a Petty Debts case yesterday, Mr Hopkins said he sensed his opposition was intent on prolonging the case and he did not want the stress of a long legal fight.
‘There was going to have to be another hearing – they said they wanted to call witnesses – and it just became too stressful and I have not got the time to do the necessary investigations when I was only looking to recoup a few hundred pounds,’ he said.
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That’s a shame. Those “firefighters” should be lined up in front of a firing squad for what they did to the island. Disgusting. A sign of the way this island is headed.
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really Barry why don’t you come out against the financial industry for what they have done to the island and call for the bankers to be put up against the wall .
Its okay for the financial industry to wreak the economy with little or no accountability every one just lets them get away with it but watch out if any worker stands up for their rights in the work place.
More power to Ron le Cras,” workers united will never be defeated “
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Barry i think thats a bit to far, maybe they didnt quite go about it the right way but be realistic.
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Rubbish. The Finance industry brought money into this island and without them Guernsey would be finished. Let’s face it, tourism will never be what it once was and the growing industry is practically dead. At least no one in finance goes on strike. If they did they’d all be sacked! Guernsey is a pathetic holiday destination and the firefighters and politicians certainly did the island no favours at all.
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Ouaisne brought money in for who? we the tax payers of the world have to pay for the stuff ups and big bonus of this industry which is greedy and grasping…
Guernsey is known as a tax heaven for the rich to dodge the tax systems of the world wake up we are getting shafted by this industry..
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@Ouaisne why dont you work as a firefighter you then might be able to comment so until then you dont have a valid opinion. The bankers have basically screwed the WHOLE world up with there greedyness.
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Tom in the same breath you castrate Ouaisne for not being a firefighter therefore is not entitled to an opinion and damning the bankers. I presume you’re not a banker so doesn’t your logic apply to you too?
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, it is after all just that. An opinion. I presume Ouaisne is an islander therefore the strike may have affected him and is absolutley entitled to speak up, as are you about the bankers. Now play nice children.
In MY opinion a lot could have been done in the firefighter situation. I understand their reasons and I put blame with The States too for not handling the situation as it should have been dealt with.
It is also a shame that the union over here seem to have Ron Le Cras as their rep.
But hey. It’s just my opinion.
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Micky
The finance industry has brought benefits to the tens of thousands of islanders who work in it.
Really, I honestly thought that was obvious.
If the finance industry wasnt present in guernsey, you would have to pay a significantly higher rate of tax on your lowewr earnings to pay for the public services you enjoy.
Plus the underlying expertise that now exists on the island, mean that most islanders have skills that would enable them to go anwhere in the world and find decent work.
You may not like the finance industry, but at least try to understand how it benefits the island before bleating on about it not helping us at all and the global financial problems that the island has largely been protected from, hmmm funnily enough by our still prosperous finance sector!
If it wasnt for the finance industry, Guernsey would frankly be up a creek without a paddle, as much as it pains people like you to realise.
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