Unite overtime ban to follow today's strike

Some sectors have also brought in an overtime ban until midnight on Sunday in protest at the below cost of living pay offer from the States.

All areas where public sector workers are employed will be affected, such as cleaning, roads and buildings, sewage and bins, parks and gardens. But essential services like Fire and Rescue and the Airport Fire Service will be covered.

Unite regional officer Bob Lanning said that he told members at the meeting that the States had offered to take the issue to arbitration: 'But members were very very clear that they didn't need a third party to tell them whether they need a pay rise or not,' he said.

'The ball is back in the States' court. They were very clear they were willing to talk, but they must bring someone to the table who has the authority to make some decisions.'

The States offered employees across all sectors a rise of 2.3%, but the cost of living from the end of December – the figure on which the pay claim was based – was 2.9%.

Another issue which has angered members is the dismissal of the union's representative at the Airport Fire Service, which Mr Lanning said breached agreed disciplinary procedure.

A States spokesman said it was frustrating that the union had decided to move forward with the 'disruptive action'.

'A formal disputes resolution process was agreed yesterday, meaning there is a clear path to resolving the disagreement over pay and conditions without the need for industrial action.

'The States of Guernsey is calling upon Unite to fully engage in that independent process and to allow it the opportunity to resolve the dispute in a way that does not impact on the Guernsey public.'