Business leaders accuse airport firefighters of holding island to ransom

GUERNSEY is being held to ransom by airport firefighters who want a better pay deal, the Confederation of Guernsey Industry has said.

Chairman Richard Battersby, pictured, said the firefighters were wrong to seek a 3.5% cost of living increase for 2012.

The negotiations will be settled by arbitration as union representatives said States negotiators could not be swayed from their view that pay should be frozen.

'Whilst it is acknowledged that the service provided by the airport firemen is an essential one, yet again the island is being held to ransom,' said Mr Battersby.