JERSEY Airport firefighters are to be balloted over industrial action in a move which a union has warned could result in the closure of the airfield.
The union Prospect says it is taking the action after new members were barred by Ports of Jersey from joining the Public Employees’ Pension Fund scheme and instead only given access to what it describes as “a savings scheme that provides a finite sum and not a pension”.
It says that the Airport firefighters are the only group of eligible emergency service workers in the Island to be denied access to the scheme.
Responding to the union’s plans, Ports of Jersey said that the new scheme provided “a good-quality pension” and that the organisation contributed 5-10% into each employee’s pot.
In a statement, Prospect said that members would be balloted “in the near future” and that “any action taken will not interfere with emergency cover but may close the Airport at times”.
Prospect said that Airport firefighters had historically had access to the uniformed pension scheme, as they were part of the named group of emergency personnel entitled to join.
However, they said that Ports of Jersey “arbitrarily withdrew the scheme, leaving firefighters without the assurance and protection all other emergency service workers are protected by, including ambulance, police, civilian and retained firefighters”.
They said that the new “savings” scheme was “a mere fraction of what the PEPS scheme offers, resulting in a built-up sum of money rather than a sustained pension for life”.
Bob King, Prospect’s national secretary, said: “Firefighters at Jersey Airport provide a vital emergency service, the same as any other dedicated emergency-service worker.
“It is beyond the pale that Ports of Jersey has singled them out for this treatment, becoming the only employer on the Island who doesn’t value the work of the emergency services.
“The changes made will force firefighters to work to at least age 67 whilst maintaining a high level of fitness and the ability to undertake significant physical tasks, the majority of which are required within the three-minute Civil Aviation Authority response time necessary for the licensing of the aerodrome.
“The people of Jersey will understand that we have been left with no choice but to take this action, as we know they value their emergency services, and we hope they will support us in our call for equal treatment.”
In a statement, Ports of Jersey said: “Ports of Jersey introduced a defined contribution occupational retirement scheme for all new joiners in 2020.
“The scheme provides a good quality pension and covers all employees, including those in operational teams such as the Airport Fire Service, Coastguard, Security Officers and Air Traffic Control. Ports of Jersey contributes 5-10% into each employee’s pension pot.
“The Airport Fire Service submitted a formal collective grievance about these pension arrangements, and we have reached stage three of an agreed four-stage dispute resolution process, which culminates in binding arbitration and a non-impairment of service agreement. Earlier this year Prospect said they were opting out of the process and that they plan to ballot for industrial action.
“This has left us with no alternative but to issue legal proceedings against Prospect. We will not comment further while the process is underway.
“Safety and security at the airport remain our top priorities, and we are taking steps to manage any potential disruption.”
