Guernsey unions accept public sector pension offer

Unions have voted to accept changes to Guernsey's public sector pension scheme.

Martin MacIntyre, from the Association of States Employees' Organisations, said it was a "very slim majority".

The move came after the States made a last offer in the long-running dispute before resorting to legal action to push through the changes.

Deputy Chief Minister Allister Langlois said detailed proposals would need final approval from the States.

He said: "After nearly five years of negotiation and conversation we're in a position where all future service of existing employees are subject to a new scheme, which is sustainable and containable."

It is understood not all unions were in favour of the proposals, with 71% of Unite members voting against the deal.

Mr MacIntyre said the ballot results were a matter for individual unions, but the "2015 proposals are far, far better than the 2013 ones".

He said the public demonstration held by public sector workers was "vital" in getting the States to make another offer before pursuing a legal solution based on the 2013 offer.

"It hadn't been for the members on the march in April this year we wouldn't be in this position.

"We've come a long, long way in the final three months we were given by the States to sort something out."

Mr MacIntrye said it would work better in the future with the unions having a 50% role in the governance of the pension fund.

The current scheme, which has about 5,000 members, will be replaced by a career average re-valued earnings scheme from the start of next year.

A new scheme has been created for staff employed since April.

The changes to the existing scheme including employees paying an extra 0.5% in contributions and the States contributing a minimum of 10.5%.