States pay dispute hots up

Wednesday 21 September 2016

States officials have hit back at claims they are being “incredibly disrespectful” to their work force.

Prospect union boss Bob King yesterday told the States their unwillingness to resolve a pay dispute stretching back 18 months also lacked in “any sense of decency.”

But the States insist they are in an “on-going dialogue” with the union over their pay claim.  

At the start of 2015, the union, with 800 members in Jersey, called for a 2.5% pay deal, but after another round of civil service job cuts that was raised to 2.75% to reflect the increase in workload. 

The States have so far made no pay offer, but maintain they are willing to engage in “constructive" talks.

Around 200 civil servants voiced their concern by holding a ‘lunch-out’ yesterday in the Royal Square - with workers refusing to work during the midday break. 

But Mr King said that full-scale industrial action is looming unless the States are willing to negotiate. 

Yesterday, the union did meet States officials in the Island. 

A States statement reads: “This afternoon, the Chief Executive of the States, John Richardson, met with the General Secretary of Prospect union, Mike Clancy. 

“In the meeting, which was arranged some time ago, Mr Richardson expressed his wish for the States and Prospect to remain committed to an open and cooperative relationship, in order that high-quality public services can continue to be provided within an affordable structure as workforce modernisation and public sector reform progress.

Mr Richardson said: “We are maintaining a close partnership with our workforce as we seek to find the most effective way of balancing the States budgets by 2019. Our ongoing dialogue with public sector unions is an important part of this process and we hope that Prospect representatives will continue to engage with us in a constructive and positive way.”