GIBRALTAR
Unions have reacted angrily to plans for reform of the Gibraltar Public Service, claiming they were not consulted on the moves.
Gibraltar’s Chief Secretary, Darren Grech (pictured) said the reforms would “ensure that we achieve the expectations of everyone who interacts with the Public Service”.
He announced a Future Leaders Program “so we can potentially remove some of the bureaucratic barriers that have held back some of the best candidates”.
“The course has been designed in partnership with the University of Gibraltar and King’s College London so as to open it up to the widest possible spectrum of staff,” Mr Grech said.
“It will bring modern best practice to the fore and, in delivering this program, we will be working closely with the unions that represent public sector workers to ensure that we bring out the very best in our service.”
However, the announcement drew immediate criticism from the Gibraltar General and Clerical Association, which said it had found out about the initiative “via the press”.
“We are shocked and disappointed by this incident, which does not bode well for future industrial relations,” the Association said.
“We have asked the Chief Secretary to halt any reform measures until discussions are entered into.”
The Teachers Union of Gibraltar also expressed concern, saying in a statement that the proposed reforms would have an impact on its members and there should be “consultation and frank discussions” before anything went ahead.
Mr Grech said he had made clear from the outset that unions would be consulted in the process, which had just started.
“I don’t see that there can, therefore, be any suggestion that we are not going to consult with the unions when we have, in our original statement, especially stated that we will,” Mr Grech said.
Gibraltar, 25 October 2019
