John Culatto
MINISTRY of Defence workers could soon receive similar wages to civil servants on the Rock.
It comes after Chief Minister Fabian Picardo backed the union pay claim, saying he would bring it up with ministers in London.
Picardo pledged his ‘full support’ for all MoD employees against what he called UK ‘austerity’.
“It is remarkable that it is now those working as locally employed civilians in the Ministry of Defence, are being negatively impacted by UK austerity as they have been,” said Picardo.
“Historically, Gibraltar has really turned a corner when we see our people having to seek parity of wages with Gibraltar Government salaries, and not the other way round as was the case almost 40 years ago.”
He was referring to the fight for wages parity led by the founder of his party the GSLP, Sir Joe Bossano.
The Chief Minister gave special mention to Gibraltar Defence Police officers and the soldiers of the Royal Gibraltar Regiment.
The government spokesperson said that the ‘real pay of these individuals has fallen very significantly’.
“The impact of this gap in Gibraltar has been even worse considering our outstanding economic growth during the same period,” said the government.
Picardo said: “We will fully support our colleagues in all sectors of MoD employment in Gibraltar in their claims for better remuneration and terms and conditions.
Main Gibraltar union, Unite, is leading the charge along with the Gibraltar General Clerical Association.
“I will raise this issue myself with ministers in London,” said Picardo, who regularly meets with top UK government representatives in the UK capital.
