ONE woman went to mow recently - and nearly had a strike on her hands.
The Transport and General Workers Union were incensed to discover that Grouville head teacher Gill Shaw had taken the lawn into her own hands because of a contractual dispute with the Parks and Gardens Department of Public Services.
Mrs Shaw, who, in common with all head teachers in the Island, has control over her budget, could not agree a new contract with the department because of the price they were proposing charging.
Meanwhile, the grass was beginning to grow under her pupils’ feet because the department refused to work until agreement was reached.
Mrs Shaw’s decision to get a mower and strimmer out and do it herself out of school hours was reported to the New Steret headquarters of the Transport Union, who immediately invoked their disputes procedure with the States, requiring the ’status quo’ to be maintained.
The union viewed Mrs Shaw’s actions as a direct threat to their members’ jobs.
Hurried negotiations were conducted involving the chief officers of Education, Sport and Culture and Public Services and an agreement has now been reached which means that the school’s gardens are back in the latter’s care.
Article posted on 5th July, 2004 - 12.00am
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