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Chief Minister's statement on public sector pay award

19 November 2013

​The Chief Minister, Senator Ian Gorst, made the following statement in the States Assembly on 19 November 2014:

I would like to update Members on the 2012-2014 public sector pay award. As Members will be aware, the States Employment Board’s (SEB) final pay offer was implemented in December 2012. That offer was a 1% lump sum in 2012, a 1% consolidated pay award plus 1% lump sum in 2013, and a consolidated pay award of 4% from January 2014 in return for a modernisation agreement.

Progress on reform

Since that final offer was implemented, significant progress has been made on workforce modernisation, and on the reform of the public sector.

For example:

  • lean working is now embedded in the first two departments to train their staff to use this management tool
  • at Health and Social Services, this method has been used to reduce waiting times at the Hospital’s Emergency Department and to turn the Bon Santé restaurant from needing a subsidy to making a modest profit – and that has been achieved in just over six months
  • at Social Security, a number of projects are underway – we will soon see an online application form for the new Long Term Care scheme and the ability to receive e-payments
  • pay progression for prison officers, staff in the Law Officers Department, and Fire and Rescue Service is now based on skills, knowledge and experience acquired - rather than time served
  • a harmonised maternity policy has been introduced and another dozen amended policies are ready for launch before the end of the year
  • a new performance management system is being finalised which can be adapted for use in different areas

Pay award

In view of this progress, and in view of the hard work by employees, trade unions and management, I would like to inform Members that the SEB agreed at its last meeting that the 4% consolidated pay award should be paid to all staff from January 2014.

This decision was based on the following factors:

  • there has been significant engagement from all pay groups in the Workforce Modernisation Programme. Representatives and staff have worked together and made good progress towards all the criteria set by SEB for the 4% pay award
  • this award is the final part of a three year deal which led to significant CSR savings - which will flow through into future years
  • there has been a positive change in approach from our Trade Unions. Representatives have been working in partnership with Employee Relations staff to redesign public sector terms and conditions. I would like to thank them for their cooperation and encourage them to continue this good work in 2014 and beyond
  • SEB believes paying the final part of a three year award in January is a visible demonstration of trust by the employer in its workforce. This will support the Reform programme and reinforce the constructive approach to employee relations which has been developed in recent months

Requirements

 As a result, the SEB agreed that the following requirements would be met before the award goes into January pay:
  • following a recommendation from a joint trade union and employer working party, the functions of the Manual Workers Joint Council will be fulfilled by a new collective bargaining and consultation framework for all recognised trade unions. This framework is now being developed, and its structure will be completed before January
  • there will be an opportunity for a partnership between the teaching unions, the Education department and Employee Relations. This partnership will work on teachers’ terms and conditions, and on the professional contribution teachers can make to the continuing development of a successful education system for Jersey
  • new contracts of employment for new staff will be in place from 1st January 2014 and a delivery timetable for the remaining aspects of workforce modernisation will be agreed with the unions for 2014 before the end of the year

To conclude: the 4% pay award for 2014 is part of a package.

SEB members have acknowledged the progress made on reshaping how our public sector employees work together for the benefit of islanders.

SEB members support the partnership working between our officers and trade union representatives from every pay group - as we work towards achieving a modern, efficient and sustainable public sector.

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