GALLERY: Hundreds join rally against States cuts

  • Hundreds of people marched through town protesting against the proposed States cuts
  • The cuts, which aim to plug the predicted black hole, are being debated this week
  • Read what some of the protesters had to say below
  • Find out more about the proposed cuts, savings and spending below

UNION leaders urged States workers to defend their rights and fight against planned public sector cuts as hundreds marched through town during a protest at the weekend.

Demonstrators met at Howard Davis Park on Saturday and walked through St Helier to the People’s Park where they gathered for a rally in response to major cutbacks proposed by ministers.

And union leaders announced on Monday that they were due to meet on Wednesday to discuss their next move.

Some unions – including Unite and the civil servants union, Prospect – have already said that they are considering industrial action.

In an attempt to plug a predicted multi-million-pound black hole by 2019, earlier this year ministers announced a series of cuts including a public sector pay freeze, voluntary and compulsory redundancies, cuts to some benefits and the withdrawal of some States schemes, such as free TV licences to over-75s who are not currently eligible.

In April, the States Employment Board, which sets public sector pay, announced that all States wages would be frozen this year with the exception of those for nurses and midwives.

Many of the proposals are contained within the Medium Term Financial Plan, which is due to be debated in the States this week.

The document also contains proposals to make significant investment in some areas, particularly health and education.

Speaking after the rally, Treasury Minister Alan Maclean said: ‘The important thing is that there is the ability for union members and public sector workers to express their views and this rally is one way of doing that.

‘It is important that we continue to engage with staff and unions because the key is the redesign and modernisation of the public sector.

‘We cannot continue to see the cost of the public sector rise because we do not have the ability to sustain that. There has to be change and I recognise that any form of change is difficult.’

Public sector workers and their supporters – including young children – waved union flags and blew fog-horns as they walked from Howard Davis Park, along Colomberie, King and Queen Street, past the Town Hall on York Street, along the Parade and then to the People’s Park.

Speaking to the JEP on Monday, Marina Mauger, the Jersey representative for the NASUWT, said that the unions were ‘really happy’ with the turn out on Saturday and the mood was ‘peaceful’.

Unions said that between 1,000 and 2,000 took part in the march, although some left before the rally.

Several union members and public sector workers prepared speeches for the demonstration, which were all met with loud cheers from the crowd.

Peter Hughes, regional secretary for Unite union, who had been invited from the UK to speak at the rally, said: ‘We cannot afford to let our key services go.

‘If you do not fight this change you will lose.

‘But if you do fight, you might win.

‘You have got to take the opportunity not to lie down and let the government rule you.

‘We will support every union on the Island and we will stand with you, shoulder to shoulder.’

The rally welcomed visitors and Islanders from a range of different industries and backgrounds, who came together to send a ‘clear message’ to the States.

Speaking at the rally, Pip Hobson, a teacher and member of the NASUWT, said: ‘When the money comes back, the government are not going to give it back to us.

‘The situation we find ourselves in is going to stay and the money will not be pumped back into our services.

Meanwhile, Dan Laurent, from the States of Jersey Fire and Rescue Association, said: ‘We are a modern, lean workforce but we are very concerned.

‘Our department and other departments have been cut over the last few years.

‘There were 72 full-time firefighters up until last year and we have seen two removals so far and they are currently working on another two.

‘That leaves us with 68.

‘There is absolutely no fat left, we are past the point of where we should be.’

Members of Reform Jersey, including Deputy Geoff Southern, Deputy Montfort Tadier and Deputy Sam Mézec were also in attendance, as well as other current and former States members.

Proposed cuts and savings

  • Cuts to the public sector – savings of £90 million by 2019 including £70 in staff savings
  • Health charge – to raise £35 million by 2019, the details of which are unknown
  • Sewage charge – £10 million is planned to be raised through the introduction of user pays charges for the disposal of liquid and solid waste
  • Cuts to benefits – Most elements of income support will be frozen next year, one-off income support payments will be replace with loans, lone parents will be treated the same as other adults for income support, pension and maintenance income being taken fully into account for income support calculations and under-25 job-seekers being treated in the same way as students of the same age for welfare purposes

Proposed spending

  • The Health Department will receive an additional £40 million in funding by 2019
  • The Education Department will be allocated £9 million of additional investment
  • An additional £13 million for other departments has also been forecast

Victoria Pallot (32), a school teacher

‘I was really pleased with the turn out.

‘It was good to see lots of people being involved in the protest with their families.

‘It was my daughter’s birthday today and she changed all of her birthday invites to be here with us.’

Paul Wallace-Sims (49), a school teacher

John McNichol (56), a senior healthcare assistant

‘I think it went very well and people have come down to show their outrage at the government.

‘It is our opportunity to send the government a clear message.

‘We will not stand by and watch the destruction of public services.

‘Cutting the public sector is zombie economics. It is rubbish.’

Oliver Taylor (34), who works in the finance industry

‘We seem to be punishing the most vulnerable and weakest in society and the protest was about standing up for what is fair.

‘My mum is a nurse and when she first started the pay was fairly equal with other industries, including finance and other public-sector but years later there is this divide.

‘We are all going to be affected by it and this protest is a start in showing that.

‘When people start to feel the pinch a bit more, then they will get involved too.’

Laura Millen (36), a recruitment consultant

‘Events like this are fiercely important for the reason that we have a government who represents the rich and the business owners in Jersey.

‘The cuts will effect everyone and it is important that we do this and send a message.’

Jill Bartholomew (59)

‘I am here because of the cuts in benefits.

‘I have had my income support removed recently and so I am very much effected by these things.

‘We have to make a stand.

‘I think if sufficient numbers of us turn out and protest then they will realise that people are not just accepting everything that is thrown at them.’

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