Airport firefighters to vote on industrial action

The union said any action meant the airport could close at times

Firefighters at Jersey Airport are to ballot staff for industrial action in a dispute over pensions.

The trade union Prospect said any action would not affect emergency cover but could mean the airport closing at times.

The union claims the Ports of Jersey (PoJ) are denying new airport firefighters access to the public employee's pension fund and offering a savings scheme instead.

PoJ said it introduced a good pension scheme for all new joiners in 2020 and would be starting legal action against the union.

'Beyond the pale'

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 PoJ has singled them out for this treatment."

PoJ said all new staff were eligible to join a defined contribution retirement scheme, with the company contributing 5-10% to each employee's pension pot.

It said Prospect pulled out of dispute resolution talks earlier this year, and as a result "has left us with no alternative but to issue legal proceedings against Prospect".