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A group of politicians - including a senior Minister - have urgently called on the government and unions to end the public sector pay deadlock after it exploded into widespread strike action yesterday.
In a letter sent to the Chief Minister and the leader of civil service union JCSA Prospect, Terry Renouf, a range of States Members from across the political spectrum united in order to argue for a "new offer".
The letter was signed by Environment Minister John Young, who yesterday told protestors he was "ashamed" to be part of the Council of Ministers, as well as Deputies Steve Luce, Rob Ward, Kevin Pamplin and Scott Wickenden, Senator Steve Pallett and Constable Simon Crowcroft.
It read:
"We live in uncertain times.
On a global scale, climate change and political instability among the superpowers are an increasing concern. In and around Europe we see the continuation of an exodus of people from south to north, and of course, the current instability and uncertainty of Brexit.
Much closer to home we have an increasing population, housing challenges, an ageing demographic and the continuing contradiction of living in a low tax jurisdiction while expecting high cost services. We face increasing health challenges, not least from from cancer and diabetes.
We have to keep our ever increasing workforce gainfully employed.... we have to educate our children to make them ready to take on that employment and the opportunities that presents.
Given all the many challenges we face, having a widespread protracted dispute with our valued employees is extremely unhelpful....to say the very least. We need our civil servants to be working with us. We need our teachers teaching, our Customs and emergency services keeping us protected and safe, our health workers keeping us well. We need every part of the civil service working at their best as we strive to meet the many challenges we face.
Continuing the current standoff will get us nowhere. History shows we always do best by working together.
We, the undersigned, call on the State’s Employment Board (SEB) to find an additional offer to put to the workforce. We call on the unions to come to the table prepared to consider a new offer. We urge both sides to start talking and to make additional new efforts resolve the current unacceptable impasse."
Video: Civil servants congregate in the Royal Square in protest of the deadlocked pay negotiations.
It comes after biomedical scientists, occupational therapists, law officers, pathologists and many other civil servants picketed outside their workplaces of the Hospital and Cyril Le Marquand House before proceeding down to the Royal Square en masse yesterday.
Civil servants carrying signs emblazoned with slogans of their discontent from “invest in your staff, they are your biggest asset!” to “we are allergic to peanuts Parker”, were addressed by various speakers in the Royal Square, just outside the States Chamber.
Pictured: The congregation of civil servants - members of JCSA Prospect and Unite the Union - filled the Royal Square yesterday.
Amongst the staff on the picket line outside the Hospital was a young biomedical scientist who spoke to Express about her experience of the escalating strike action.
One of the speakers, Prospect General Secretary Mike Clancy, assured the crowds ahead of his meeting yesterday afternoon with Chief Minister John Le Fondré and Chief Executive Charlie Parker, that he would not paint striking staff as “villains”.
Addressing the vast crowds of disgruntled staff, Mr Clancy said: “If I’m determined about one thing today when I speak to some of the people who apparently have influence on this... is that I’m not going to allow you to be cast as the villains in this piece. You’re the heroes.”
Mr Clancy, along with union reps from JCSA Prospect and Unite the Union, attended this meeting yesterday afternoon and Express understands that they are due to release a statement about the outcome at some point today.
Pictured: Prospect General Secretary Mike Clancy told the striking staff: "You are the heroes".
States Members emerged from the Assembly during the strike and some chose to speak to the crowds to show their support. This included Deputy Jess Perchard who said that “unfortunately this strike is absolutely necessary” and Environment Minister Deputy John Young saying he was “ashamed” to be a part of the Council of Ministers in the face of this dispute.
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