Civil servants turn down 4%

THE island’s 1,700 civil servants look set to reject a 4% pay offer.

Ed Freestone, the president of the Guernsey Association of Civil Servants, a branch of the Prospect union, said executive members had voted unanimously to reject the Public Sector Remuneration Committee’s offer and it would now be balloting members.

‘We discussed the offer and felt that it was unacceptable so it was decided to ballot the members accordingly,’ he said. ‘We hope that members will express their views clearly by saying yes or no to the offer.’

He was unable to say what might happen next, but said the executive was not aware of any willingness on the part of its members to accept a below-RPI rise.

‘We agree we are in a difficult time and we are not asking for a pay rise, but only to mark time.’ (from thisisguernsey)

There maybe trouble ahead....

Well, as predicted, the results of the ballot did indeed show that over 90% of civil servants rejected the 4% pay rise in favour of putting the decision in the hands of a tribunal.

I believe that talks are still ongoing between AGCS and PSRC but judging by the comments attributed to Deputy Al Brouard earlier this week, I don't think these talks will last very long!

Are civil servants allowed to strike ?

This is what was agreed:


1.
An increase in all basic rates and allowances of 4.8%
effective from 1 May 2008;

2.
A further increase in all basic rates and allowances
from the 1 May 2009 of 3% or 1% below RPI, whichever is the greater;

3.
The introduction of pay protection arrangements
following job evaluation in line with those already applicable to both the
Public Service Employees and Nursing staff employed by the States of Guernsey
and as detailed on the attached document.