Strikes force court closure

Tuesday 15 January 2019

The Magistrate’s Court has been forced to close today as a result of strike action by public sector employees protesting against rates of pay.

Hundreds of civil servants are today expected to walk out for the entire today, gathering in the Royal Square where Mike Clancy, General Secretary of the island’s largest union, JCSA Prospect, will address crowds at 12:30.

Jersey’s two civil service unions announced their plans for these whole days of strikes last week, when Unite the Union Chairman Nick Corbel told Express that civil servants were “furious” at the way they have been treated by their employer. 

Unite members will be striking alongside their colleagues from JCSA Prospect.

Pictured: Union members will be gathering in the Royal Square.

After the two-hour industrial action which took place in Liberation Square in early December, these more sustained strikes mark an escalation of the deadlocked dispute as public sector workers continue to react to being told “there is no more money."

The protests are expected to cause disruption to various public services, with the Jersey’s Magistrate’s Court being one of the most substantial facilities to be affected by industrial action.

The building, which was due to hold Magistrate’s, Youth and Petty Debts sittings today, will remain closed for the entire day, meaning that any cases due to come before the courts today will be postponed.

With certain health staff falling under the civil service pay bracket, States officials have warned that certain medical facilities and clinics will also be closed.

Pictured: States Members are being invited to the Royal Square gathering.

Pathology labs will be closed all day, with islanders warned not to drop off any specimens at the hospital today.

All physiotherapy clinics at the General Hospital and Overdale will also be cancelled, including some in the Pain Service.

In an open letter, JCSA Prospect invited politicians to join the striking civil servants in the Royal Square to learn more about their pay concerns.

“This would give you the opportunity to explain what actions you feel you can take to support them at this time. It will also give you the opportunity to assess the feeling of staff at this difficult time,” JCSA Chairman Terry Renouf wrote.

“On behalf of members, I sincerely hope you will take advantage of this opportunity and will meet staff to show your support for them and the valuable contribution they make to the Island of Jersey and the people who live here.”

Today’s set of strikes come after members of nursing unions voted to reject the “final” pay offer from the States last week, while teachers forming part of the National Education Union overwhelmingly threw their weight behind the idea yesterday.