Unions dismiss longer term rent allowance

The States has agreed to meet part of the cost of a temporary or permanent rental property for a maximum of four years in a bid to combat issues with staff retention and recruitment.

It has said the challenges are not unique to Guernsey, and are affecting many sectors of the workforce locally, nationally and globally.

But Royal College of Nursing senior regional officer Jacqui Carr said the extension is far from a long-term solution and that unions were not consulted on the change.

‘It only creates a four-year sticking plaster,’ she said.

‘Short-term rental allowances create a transient workforce, as those recruited will leave when the allowance ends and they can no longer afford accommodation. It also has implications for the existing workforce who spend significant amounts of time training up new recruits who will leave soon after.’

She said extending rent allowances to off-island workers creates division within the workforce because many local nurses cannot afford accommodation, although the States has said it is looking into the issues of retention and recruitment of local key workers.

‘We welcome recognition that there is work to be done to recruit and retain nurses in Guernsey, but the States have not consulted the unions about this change and have made this decision in isolation,’ she said.

‘We know pay parity is an issue and if the States want to develop a robust, stable nursing workforce they must involve and consult with the unions.’

NASUWT Teachers said the subsidies will not make working in Guernsey more appealing unless higher rates of pay are introduced.

‘Temporary rent subsidies will not attract teachers who wish to stay in Guernsey long-term, and will fail to ensure good teachers are retained,’ said press and media officer Lena Davies.

‘Subsidies will not encourage local teachers, or those who are local and recently qualified in the UK, to return to teach in the island.

‘A substantive pay award in excess of inflation is required to ensure that good teachers, irrespective of their background, are not only recruited, but retained on island.’

The States has said the allowance extension will not cost taxpayers more.

‘It is expected that this will not incur additional cost for the States, but will help to reduce turnover as staff who relocate will be less inclined to leave at the end of two years, which would ordinarily trigger a new recruitment process.

‘It is important to note that wider analysis is also under way, looking at a range of issues relating to recruitment and retention, which takes into account the needs of all staff including those who are already locally-based, not just those eligible to receive rent allowance.’