Plan to free up public sector pay rise cash defeated

Wednesday 27 March 2019

A plan to free up States reserves in order to fund pay rises for all public sector workers has been defeated.

The proposals, which were put forward by Deputy Geoff Southern, were voted on this afternoon but failed to get the support they needed to pass, with 20 votes in favour and 27 against.

In a speech, Deputy Geoff Southern warned of “putting our public services at risk” by stretching workers so far – for no extra pay – that they retract goodwill.

Referring to the activities of the hundreds of teachers who walked out yesterday in protest over stagnating wages, the Deputy told his fellow States Members: “That chess club, that football match, that play, is done time and time again on the back of goodwill, on the back of unpaid efforts, on the back of extra hours… and we put that at risk at our peril.”

The #StatesAssembly has REJECTED Deputy Geoff Southern's request to ask @GovJersey to propose public sector pay claims be funded by the 'Consolidated Fund'. RESULT: 20 For vs. 27 Against pic.twitter.com/Au9wtQQTPB

— States Assembly (@StatesAssembly) March 27, 2019

However, his words were not enough to sway a majority of States Members to vote in favour of his bid to free up government millions.

It was the second time a proposal to enable wage increases in line with rises in the cost of living had been defeated.

Politicians voting in favour of the plan were Senators Vallois, Moore and Mézec; the Constables of St. Helier, St. Saviour, St. Martin and St. Mary; and Deputies Southern, Lewis, Tadier, Higgins, Doublet, Wickenden, Young, Morel, Pointon, Perchard, Ward, Alves and Pamplin.

Those voting against were Senators Gorst, Farnham, Ferguson and Le Fondré; the Constables of St. Clement, St. Lawrence, St. Brelade, Grouville, St. John, Trinity, St. Peter and St. Ouen; and Deputies Martin, Pinel, Luce, Renouf, Johnson, Truscott, Ash, Huelin, Guida, Vibert, Raymond, Ahier, Gardiner, Carolyn Labey and Russell Labey.

Pictured: The Chief Minister was among those to vote against the plan.

Following the result, the Chief Minister commented: "I am grateful for the support from Members today, in supporting the States Employment Board’s position on the public sector pay proposition. This is the right decision for the long-term interests of our island.

“There is still a lot of work left to do to reach a resolution to the pay disputes with teachers and civil servants, and we are focused on reaching agreement with them and with other employee groups that have yet to accept the revised three-year pay offer. 

“I hope that public sector employees will have heard in the debate from all States Members that the work they do is truly valued. The Government is committed to being a good employer, and the States Employment Board will continue to work with unions to resolve the longstanding issues that have bedevilled public sector pay for far too long.”

Senator Sam Mézec wrote on social media that the result was "incredibly disappointing", adding that this feeling was heightened by the fact that some States Members had appeared to "change their mind" on the issue.

Video: Tuesday's teacher rally in the Royal Square.

The vote came following a full-day teacher strike yesterday, which led to nearly all the island's States schools being closed.

During a rally in the Royal Square, Pip Hobson - a member of major teaching union NASUWT - warned States Members that those protesting would not forget the names of those who voted against the proposals to fund public sector pay increases at the time of the next election.

"We will not keep you, if you do not support your island," she said.