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Politicians are upping the ante in the lifeboat dispute in the States next week.
Senator Sarah Ferguson and Deputy Kevin Lewis – who both attended Sunday’s show of support for the crew outside the station – want to know what the Chief Minister is doing to resolve the dispute.
Last Thursday the national RNLI ‘sacked’ the coxswain Andy Hibbs for allegedly breaking their code of conduct – something he strongly denies and says he was cleared of at an earlier disciplinary. The move prompted the rest of the crew to walkout, and for the national RNLI to change the locks at the station and bring in an emergency crew from the UK. The row has made national news.
The organisation’s alleged heavy handedness has prompted a public backlash. Hundreds of Islanders turned up to show their support for the crew at a rally on Sunday, and the Assistant Chief Minister Senator Paul Routier promised he’d help sort things out. He’s since urged the crew to go back so negotiations can begin. But he’s refused to say if the coxswain should be re-instated. Thousands have signed an online petition to get Mr Hibbs his job back. It’s believed the petition is going to be handed to the States on Tuesday.
Deputy Kevin Lewis wants to know “if the Chief Minister will be approaching the RNLI head office in the UK regarding the standing-down of the entire St Helier lifeboat crew”. And Senator Sarah Ferguson wants the Chief Minister to update the assembly on any progress he’s made with regard to the dispute.
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