STATES and parish manual workers have submitted a seven per cent pay claim for the year ahead.

The T & G Unite union has submitted the claim on behalf of its 1,500 public-sector members and has also asked for a one-hour reduction in the working week to 37 hours to achieve parity with civil servants.

The union is also seeking an extra two days’ paid leave for workers who have achieved 25 years’ service in recognition of their loyalty. The public-sector pay year runs from 1 June to 31 May and the union is seeking a one-year deal.

Civil Servants have accepted an offer of 3.2 per cent, equivalent to the inflation figure at the end of March. The States police have accepted the same deal as civil servants, as have prison officers. However, in the case of prison officers they would be open to renegotiate if the majority of other States pay groups gained a higher settlement.

T & G Unite regional organiser Nick Corbel (pictured) said that they had submitted the seven per cent claim on the back of rising prices, adding that mortgage interest rates had increased and there had also been hikes in the price of oil and other fuel.