Legal action postponed in States' pension row

Saturday 13 January 2018

Ongoing talks between the States of Guernsey and Unite the Union have led to an agreement which means legal action against the States has been postponed.

In a joint statement the parties say a more flexible pension option for members has been proposed.

Both parties say the talks have been "constructive and intensive", and mean legal proceedings which were due to start next week have been postponed.

Two of Unite the Union's members had launched that action in April 2016, just one month after the pension reforms had been introduced following years of talks. The postponed trial had been scheduled to start on Monday 15 January.

In the joint statement, Unite has been described as instrumental in the development of the more flexible proposal and the union will take that proposal back to affected members to seek their views via a ballot.  Following the ballot, if the proposal is accepted, the Policy & Resources Committee says it is committed to take the necessary steps to implement the proposal.

Peter Hughes, the Regional Secretary (South West), for Unite said:"We are pleased the States have listened to the views of our membership.  We believe the proposal is of significant benefit to our members and we look forward to engaging with our affected membership through our normal consultative process".

Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq, the Policy & Resources Committee member who leads on employment matters, said:"The proposal is a favourable development addressing the concerns of our valued employees whilst ensuring the pension arrangements remain as affordable and sustainable".

Further details surrounding the proposal are being kept confidential between the two parties at the moment, but further specifics of the proposal will be made available in due course.