Unite strike still on for today

Wednesday 29 May 2019

A strike of all non-essential States staff who are members of Unite the Union is taking place today.

They are striking after negotiations over a pay deal broke down, and a member of the union lost their job in a move which Unite say broke "all agreed policies and procedures".

An emergency meeting was held yesterday between Unite and the States, chaired by the Deputy Industrial Disputes Officer, Stuart Le Maitre, but no settlement was made to prevent the industrial action.

At the meeting, they agreed to treat the dismissal of the individual as a separate issue, but an agreement was not met over the pay deal, so the strikes will go ahead. The matter will now be referred to either voluntary arbitration or an industrial tribunal. the office for the Industrial Disputes Office is making arrangements for this 'without delay'. 

A second meeting took place today at 07:30, but the result of that meeting is yet to have been heard. 

The States have issued advice to people ahead of the strike. 

But ahead of the strike, which is expected to happen, the States gave the following advice: "Following the joint conciliation meeting between the States of Guernsey and Unite the Union, the States is making preparations to minimise any potential disruption caused by possible industrial action tomorrow.

"We have been reassured that the operation of the airport and essential services at the hospital will not be affected.

"Rubbish and recycling collections tonight should not be affected. Islanders who would normally leave their bags for collections tonight (May 28) should still do so. Beyond that, it is unclear to what extent industrial action may affect services, including non-essential services at the hospital. Our best, current advice is Islanders should attend appointments as normal."

"We hope to have a better understanding of the overall impact of the possible industrial action early tomorrow morning (Wednesday), following the Unite members’ meeting and will issue further advice at that stage."

The Hospital and Airport will not be affected by the strike, Unite have said. 

Originally, the States were caught unawares by the strike, and were concerned even staff working in non-essential services striking could cause disruption. The States said when this was announced - on 23 May - that they would look at all options to avert the industrial action, but there has been no update since. In a statement last week the States said the government was slightly reassured by the fact that essential service employees - hospital and airport staff - would remain in work. 

Looking back, the States believed its staff was willing to continue to negotiate, despite what their representative, Bob Lanning, said. 

Unite members were among several groups of States of Guernsey employees involved in a process of negotiating with P&R. 

Mr Lanning's full statement on behalf of Unite members was as follows: "Following a below cost of living pay offer from the States of Guernsey and the unfair dismissal of a Unite Rep that blatantly disregarded all agreed policies and procedures, Unite Reps at a members meeting held this morning at Beau Sejour called for a stoppage of all work for the States of Guernsey next Wednesday 29 May 2019. Being mindful of the impact such action could have on the airport and hospital, essential manning to ensure these two locations are not disrupted was agreed.”