The Jersey branches of the National Association of Headteachers, JSCA Prospect, the National Education Union, the Royal College of Nursing and Unite are all taking part in the rally, which is due to start at 10am at Howard Davis Park on 9 February.
Participants are due to march at 10.30am to the Royal Square, with the rally due to end at noon. Union representatives from the UK are expected to join the march and address attendees.
The march, which was proposed by the NAHT, comes after months of deadlock between public-sector unions and
the States Employment Board over workers’ pay deals for 2018 and 2019, many of which have involved below-inflation wage rises.
Terry Renouf, president of JCSA Prospect, which represents civil servants, said that the march was not just for staff but for the people of Jersey to show they recognised the quality of the Island’s public services.
‘It is for all staff who are currently in dispute with the employer over pay,’ he said. ‘But it is also for any members of the public who want to show their appreciation for any services they have benefitted from which are provided by the
public sector, whether that be health, education, emergency services or any other services.
‘This is different from other marches because it is not just for staff; it is for the public of Jersey to show their appreciation.’
Sam Cooper, president of the NAHT’s Jersey Branch, said that local and national members of the union were ‘looking forward to celebrating the great work undertaken by our public servants’.
‘Providing the highest quality education for Jersey’s young people is our aim. To support us in achieving this we need the right people, with the right support, working in the right climate,’ he said.
‘The march next Saturday will be an opportunity for the people of Jersey to get behind this agenda and demonstrate their appreciation for those working in schools.’
A statement released by JCSA Prospect on social media says: ‘Come and show your support and celebrate the work of our valued public services in the States.
‘Join the rally and back your nurses, teachers, fire fighters, civil servants in their quest for fair pay…Bring your
banners, flags and let’s make some noise!’
Unions representing a number of different public sector employee groups are currently engaged in a mediation process with the States Employment Board, which is being overseen by the Jersey Advisory Conciliatory Service.
A spokeswoman for the States Employment Board said: ‘The States Employment Board is working for a positive result for Jersey’s public services. Talks are either under way, or planned, with all unions who have not accepted our 2018/19 pay offer, and we hope these talks will result in an agreed resolution of the pay dispute.
‘We have also started a review into pay, terms and conditions across the public service, to resolve existing inconsistencies between pay groups. It will be up to individuals to decide whether or not they attend the march.’
