Issued on behalf of Martin Stanley, Chief Executive, TCI Government:
“I have confirmed in writing to the CSA today (Sunday, 27 November) that we would like to meet them as soon as possible to work to avert any further strike action.
“However, it is not appropriate to meet when CSA members are on strike. Should the strike unfortunately continue through to Tuesday evening, the earliest that this meeting can take place is Wednesday, 30 November.
“The meeting will discuss the terms and conditions of employment of TCI Government employees. It is not appropriate for the CSA to link their ‘national issues’ to strike action by public servants. We will remind the CSA of the concessions and improvements that we made both last Spring and in my letter to Dr Ewing last Friday.
“While the current administration will continue to discuss national issues with key stakeholder groups, including the hoteliers, tourism and financial sectors as well as the CSA, we must bear in mind that decisions on many of those issues will more properly fall to be decided by any new incoming administration following elections.
“Finally, I would like to correct rumours that have been circulating about the strike:
1. “It is not true that we are planning further cuts to Civil Service pay – we appreciate the sacrifices already made by our colleagues and believe that we can make the saving and rebalance the civil service without further cuts.
2. “It is also not true that there are any plans to cut Kindergarten classes – indeed we are considering ways in which these vital early years of education can be further improved in conjunction with UNICEF.
3. “Nor is it true that a Royal Navy vessel is ‘lurking’ off the coast of TCI – this is ridiculous scaremongering.”
