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The leader of a trade union planning to strike over pension changes for Airport firefighters has hit back at Ports of Jersey – claiming that the new scheme will result in an overall pension value less than half of the previous one.
The National Secretary of Prospect Union Bob King said the new contribution scheme proposed by Ports of Jersey is "hugely detrimental" when compared to the current Public Employees' Pension Fund (PEPS).
He said: "We estimate that the move from PEPS will result in an overall pension value less than half of the original."
Ports of Jersey yesterday said it is taking legal action because the union opted out of an agreed dispute resolution process by announcing strike plans.
But Mr King accused Ports of Jersey of refusing to discuss the PEPS pension scheme or negotiate.
He said: "Prospect are not party to this agreement and signed a collective agreement in 2015 that contains a dispute resolution process that we are happy to follow.
"Prospect have offered to discuss the pension scheme for firefighters at any time; Ports of Jersey have refused to do so and instead submitted a speculative legal claim."
The union argued that Airport firefighters are the only emergency service workers in Jersey not allowed to join the PEPS scheme, leaving them with less pension protection than other emergency workers.
Ports of Jersey defended their position, saying their new pension scheme introduced in 2020 offers a "good-quality pension" with 5-10% employer contributions.
Ports of Jersey to take legal action against union in pension dispute
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