Parishes may take over the cleaning of public toilets

Shop stewards for the Transport and General Workers Union (TGWU) will meet next week and their leader has said he cannot rule out industrial action.

States manual workers are concerned jobs could be under threat if work to look after parks, gardens, roads and toilets is taken on by the parishes.

They fear parishes will put the work out to tender to private companies.

'Hollow promises'

In March, the States announced proposals to cut up to 500 jobs over five years.

Policy and Resources President Senator Frank Walker said no compulsory redundancies were planned as part of the States cuts and the plans also did not include contracting work done by the States to private firms.

However, if parishes take on responsibility for employing workers to look after roads and parks, there are concerns that Senator Walker's assurances may not apply.

TGWU Regional Organiser Nick Corbel said: "Our members are fed up with hollow promises being offered by the employers.

"They tell us something on the Monday and we hear something completely different on the Tuesday."

Mr Corbel has organised a meeting for all shop stewards next Tuesday evening at the Town Hall where they will discuss plans for a mass demonstration.

He said he could not rule out his members taking industrial action if they feel jobs are under threat.

Senator Terry Le Sueur of the Policy and Resources Committee said parish constables do not want to be tied to a position at the moment, but want to talk to the unions.