Ministers have apologised over the way in which proposed cuts to the Grands Vaux Family Centre had been explained to staff – an issue which caused protests

MINISTERS have reopened negotiations with unions over pay and cutbacks – but insist that they won’t budge over the £4 million cuts target and the pay freeze.

Unite official Nick Corbel described yesterday’s initial meeting as positive, adding that ministers were now prepared to negotiate over the cuts, and to reopen pay talks.

The pay issue will be hampered by the States’ approval of a one-year pay freeze for public-sector staff, but a two-year deal or a deal linked to productivity improvements might be possible.

Mr Corbel also revealed that ministers had offered ‘an unreserved apology’ over the way in which proposed cuts to Patient Transport Services and the Grands Vaux Family Centre had been explained to staff.

The Health Department have since withdrawn those proposed cuts and are now apparently saying that their £1.4 million share of the departmental savings can be delivered through alternative cuts.

Chief Minister Terry Le Sueur described the meeting as ‘a good exchange of views’.