Strike "unlikely to end" quickly

Tuesday 10 December 2019

Any immediate return to duty by the Alderney Ambulance crew looks unlikely after 'disappointing' correspondence with the charity's board, a spokesperson has said.

The board summarily sacked Chief Officer Mel Walden, a crew member of some 28 years, last Wednesday following a £4,000 review commissioned by the States of Alderney.

The organisation's eight volunteers withdrew their services the next day as soon as the three paramedics from Guernsey drafted in to provide cover, arrived.

Pictured: Guernsey's St John Ambulance service is covering during the strike in Alderney. 

The Board reportedly made contact with the AAS as a whole for the first time on Monday in response to a two page letter from the crew. It stressed their willingness to return to duty and an 'alternative proposal' to the sacking of their chief officer.

According to Alderney Ambulance crew the board's reply was unlikely to end the stalemate the two sides are embroiled in. It is understood that the email did not agree to reinstate Mrs Walden.

An Alderney Ambulance crew spokesman said: "We received a single paragraph email from chairman of the board, Les Stewart, which was very disappointing. We don't know what the next step will be – we will have to get together to discuss that."

But Alderney Ambulance said they wanted to assure the residents of Alderney that they would never be left without emergency cover. Every one of them was prepared to resume emergency duties the second that any alternative cover failed under their own volition rather than risk lives or see the airport closed, the spokesman said. He added that the review did not criticise the skills of the crew.

Various meetings have been taking place with the States and crew members and with the board. Mr Stewart said: "We are open to discussions with the crew. I can reassure the island that they are not going to be left without ambulance cover. We have asked the Guernsey crew for an extension."

The cost of the Guernsey crew is understood to be around £1,200 per day, which is being met by Alderney Ambulance. It is not known for how long they will be able to meet the cost.

Pictured: Alderney Airport's opening hours could be affected if the ambulance workers' strike continues and cover isn't available from Guernsey's St John Ambulance crew. 

Chairman of the Policy and Finance Committee, James Dent, said ambulance cover was a matter purely for the Alderney Ambulance Board.

States Member and Alderney Representative to the States of Guernsey Alex Snowdon said he wanted assurances that the States of Alderney were doing everything in their power to help resolve the situation.

"This is a very worrying. What is going to happen if and when cover can't be provided? I want reassurances from the Chief Executive Officer, as he commissioned the review, that a contingency plan is in hand."

Civil Aviation laws stipulate that ambulance cover be no more than 15 drive away from the airport for the airport to remain open.

Pictured: One of Alderney's ambulances.