Changes needed from the top down at CIAS

The acquisition and procurement of a new aircraft under any circumstances will always be a challenging process, even more so when you take into account the bespoke equipment required for an operation such as CIAS. However, to me this is a separate discussion when compared to the appalling mismanagement of the crew within the organisation over the last few months.

When I look back at my time with CIAS, I have seen an enormous amount of change. Healthy change. There will always be differences of opinion, but if it wasn’t for full, frank, honest and healthy discussions, then a lot of the positive changes made over the last few years would never have happened. However, over the last four months I have seen three crew members (unpaid volunteers) treated with the utmost disrespect. The whole situation has been handled appallingly, in a way that leaves a very bad taste in the mouth and tarnishes all the good qualities that I remember so fondly of the organisation.

Crew were suspended without even being provided with any rationale at the time. An independent panel of inquiry was then set up but could find no evidence of the accusations later provided. Now a HR practitioner is undertaking an investigation which is still ongoing.

To me it seems as though different resources are being called upon until the accusers get the answer they want.

When I learned that the suspensions of the two crew members had turned into ‘sackings’ before any official enquiries had concluded, I felt I had no other option but to immediately tender my resignation. Crew members are both friends and colleagues and I could not stand by and watch them be treated in such a draconian way. Facts spoke for themselves when 10 of my colleagues felt the same way and also resigned.

If an opportunity had been given to ‘sit around the table’, then I can almost guarantee we would not be in the situation we currently find ourselves in. Frustratingly, the now sacked crew members, and others including myself, had on several occasions requested such a meeting. Furthermore, they had vocalised that, ‘If, following a meeting, it was felt their departures would be “for the good of the service”, then they would happily step aside’. Why the requests for open discussions were repeatedly denied is something I still find puzzling.

I don’t wish any harm to the service, but firmly believe that changes are required from the top down. Only then can this unique and valuable pan-island service become truly effective. An apology would be nice too.

JAMES INGROUILLE

James.ingy@cwgsy.net

Editor’s footnote: a CIAS spokesperson replies:

We have always said to comment on crew matters would be neither respectful nor constructive and we stand by this. The new aircraft is fully operational and our efforts continue to be focused on providing a 24/7 voluntary search and rescue service, with recruitment and training continuing. For 40 years we have provided a rapid response search and rescue aircraft in support of Channel Islands Coastguards, police and authorities, continue to do so and thank the public for their continued support.