Unite the Union has issued a statement calling on public sector members to "participate in strike action in the on-going dispute over public sector pay".

A statement from Unite the Union follows below:

Unite the Union, the union for workers in Gibraltar, has today (27^th August) called upon public sector members to participate in strike action in the on-going dispute over public sector pay.

The recent meeting with HMGOG on 6^th August to discuss the union’s ballot outcome and public sector pay produced no resolution, correspondence sent to HMGOG on 7^th August has remained unanswered and a meeting planned with Government to further discuss public sector pay on 20^th August was cancelled at short-notice and has not been rearranged. This has all led to Unite calling strike action across the public sector on 11^th September, 17^th September, 25^th September and 1^st October.

Stuart Davies, National Officer for Unite Gibraltar stated “Unite does take lightly the calling of strike action; however in light of the union’s mandate from members following the ballot of all public sector members and diminishing engagement with HMGOG since the meeting on 6^th August, the union have moved to calling strike action across four separate days. I have written to the Chief Minister today detailing the proposed action and have once again invited further discussions and dialogue in an attempt to find a resolution to this dispute.

“In that correspondence the union has also highlighted that Unite does not intend to compromise safety for those living and working in Gibraltar and have invited discussions around derogations, which are agreed roles and personnel to continue working during strike action to ensure safety is maintained. The union wrote to the GHA & Care Agency on 23^rd July to commence advanced talks on derogations, meetings were held on 1^st & 6^th August respectively; however whilst a proposed plan was received from the Care Agency last week, we have received nothing to date from the GHA.

 “The union has raised a number of issues in the correspondence dated 7^th August around public sector pay and particularly on the point of pay parity with the UK which echoes the points raised in the Unite pay claim back in January. These remain outstanding despite claims at Budget 2025 that not a shred of evidence has or can be produced to show any issues around parity. This evidence was provided in January 2025 and also prior to that date, then again in the letter dated 7^th August, that evidence is writ large and requires a resolution if the pay parity principles are to continue to be observed. 

“Unite is communicating today with all public sector members and shop stewards regarding the proposed strike action and the plans for that action; however the union remains committed to finding a resolution to this dispute, is ready and available to meet with HMGOG for as many times and for as long is required to seek that resolution and to avoid industrial action, as we do not consider that the parties are that far apart”.