The Government of Gibraltar has issued a statement regarding today’s healthcare demonstration.

A statement from the Government follows below:

His Majesty’s Government of Gibraltar deeply regrets the decision by Unite the Union to proceed with a healthcare demonstration today, at a time when meaningful and constructive dialogue with the GHA is ongoing and demonstrable progress is being made across numerous industrial claims. 

Despite extensive efforts made last week by the Minister for Health, Care and Business, the Hon Gemma Arias-Vasquez and the senior team at the GHA to engage with Unite the Union in good faith, including a detailed three-and-a-half hour meeting to review all outstanding claims, today’s demonstration sends an unfortunate and counterproductive signal. 

The Government notes with growing concern the clear disparity between what is being communicated to union members and the reality of discussions and developments taking place on the ground. Staff are being led to believe that their concerns are being ignored, when in fact senior officials and the Minister herself, where appropriate, have spent significant time and effort engaging constructively with union representatives. 

This is particularly regrettable given that Unite’s own National Officer, Mr Stuart Davies, has openly recognised in recent correspondence to members that progress on key issues has been “indisputable” and that recent engagement with the Government and the GHA has been “largely constructive”. It is therefore clear that today’s demonstration was not a reflection of the current state of negotiations, but rather an expression of long-standing frustrations. While the Minister fully acknowledges these sentiments, it is important that they do not detract from the genuine and ongoing progress now being achieved through sustained dialogue. 

The Government also strongly refutes the inflammatory suggestion in Unites messages that “fear should be part of no one’s job description.” This comment is not only inaccurate but undermines the many professionals across the GHA and the public sector who are working diligently, transparently, and respectfully to improve workplace culture and resolve issues in good faith. The GHA is a professional environment where all staff are entitled to raise concerns without intimidation, and the Government remains committed to ensuring this remains the standard. 

The meeting last week produced an agreed and comprehensive list of outstanding items, which will now be tracked regularly in collaboration with Unite, with significant progress expected over the coming weeks. 

The Government has worked with the GHA to make significant investment in resources to ensure that the best infrastructure is in place at the GHA to quickly and productively deal with all claims.  These steps to improve the way claims are dealt with include:

• The recruitment of a dedicated Senior Crown Counsel to provide legal advice on employment matters across the GHA. 

• The appointment of the Director of Personnel and Development as the GHA’s Director of Workforce to ensure consistency in processes and procedures across the public sector. 

• The addition, very recently, of a dedicated Industrial Relations Officer within the GHA to ensure that grievances and staff concerns are dealt with more promptly and effectively. We will ensure she reaches out to all affected groups to ensure that you have the ability to knock on her door with any issues that arise in the future. 

These actions are already producing positive results, with longstanding grievances now progressing and new, clearer pathways for resolution in place. 

The Government acknowledges that a number of claims remain ongoing. However, it is important to highlight that many of these issues are historical. Addressing them requires both due process and, in some cases, Cabinet level decisions, particularly where financial implications are involved. 

The Government respects the right to peaceful demonstration but considers it regrettable that such action was taken at a moment where significant progress was being made. 

The Minister for Health and Care, the Hon Gemma Arias-Vasquez, said: 

“I have always been clear that I am committed to working openly and constructively with Unite the Union, or indeed any other Union, to resolve matters as and when they are brought to my attention. This was demonstrated again last week during a detailed 3.5-hour meeting where we went through every single claim to ensure no issue was left unaddressed by the GHA. It is therefore quite disappointing that a demonstration has been held at a time when real and meaningful progress is being made. 

“As I have told Unite the Union repeatedly, I am absolutely committed to ensuring that the GHA resolves as many claims as possible, as quickly as possible. From a ministerial perspective, I have already taken steps to ensure that claims are resolved in the most appropriate and timely manner, for example, with the appointment of a dedicated GHA Senior Crown Counsel and a specific GHA Industrial Relations Officer. The only way, however, in my view, that real progress can be made is though continued dialogue, not disruption.”