Civil servants vote for industrial action over cuts plans

Thursday 13 August 2015

Ministers’ plans for huge cuts to fill the deficit in public finances have been dealt a blow after civil servants voted overwhelmingly to reject a pay freeze and take industrial action.

Members of the Jersey Civil Service Association and Prospect were told the result of the vote yesterday afternoon.

Of those who voted, 89.2% voted to reject the 12-month pay freeze put forward by ministers. And of those who rejected the deal, 87.1% voted in favour of industrial action.

The “industrial action” might not mean strikes – the ballot paper made it clear that it could mean withdrawal from the “job matching” initiative that will see some member’s salaries reduced to match other similar roles.

Although the other public sector unions such as Unite had adopted a hostile position in respect of ministers plans to cut the States’ pay bill by £65 million as part of a package of measures to fill the £145 million structural deficit expected by 2019, the JCSA had normally taken a more moderate tone. Its members include civil servants, managers and staff in specialist roles.

The union has made no public statement on the ballot result, which was leaked to Bailiwick Express.

But the message that it sent to members yesterday afternoon set out the next steps they plan to take.

The union wrote: “The responses indicate a very strong refusal to accept the imposed 2015 pay deal and very clear support for some type of action.

“In light of the results we will be writing to the employer seeking an urgent meeting to commence further negotiations on the issues.

“JCSA – Prospect continues to work with all the public sectors unions and we are planning a campaign to explain the importance of public services.”

Although the message make no mention of the number of members who took part, it does say “it was pleasing that most of you participated”.