Another attempt at Liberation Day holiday
Monday 8th February 2010, 2:57PM GMT.
The traditional Liberation Day celebrations will take place on a Sunday this year, but Deputy Tadier thinks we should also get another day off
ISLANDERS could get an extra day off for Liberation Day after all.
Deputy Montfort Tadier is preparing to ask the States to give workers an extra day off on Friday 7 May after the States rejected a proposal for an extra holiday last week.
And if looks as though the Deputy is in touch with the public mood: 80 per cent of people want a day off according to a JEP online poll.
Of the 679 Islanders who voted on the JEP’s internet poll, 78.4 per cent were in favour of a day off and 21.6 per cent were against.
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Liberation Day is May 9th. It’s not an excuse for a holiday, it’s a time to reflect on our freedom. If Deputy Tadier wants to get popular acclaim in time for the elections why doesn’t he go for a Bank Holiday between August and Christmas. How about Trafalgar Day? Leave Liberation Day alone!
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all work and no play makes jack a dull boy.
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I agree with the 1st comment. The day is supposed to mark Liberation Day which is May 9th not May 7th or any other day. I always admired the principle that the actual day was celebrated as it means more that way. Having a different day is just a day off not in the meaning of the reason why its celebrated. After all we do not have a day off in England for VE day. Unfortunately this degenerates the thoughts and means that really deep down all you want is a day off and not celebrate the acheivements.
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People should just be honest and say they want an extra day off work without pretending otherwise. I love extra time off work but then I’d rather politicans canvasing for more important issues such as the economy, housing, youth unemployment etc. It would be a joke if public sector workers got an a day off for this when we are meant to be cost cutting. If they want to spend 1.5m I have few suggestions…
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To those who really want a day off then take one, at your own expense! Pensioners wouldn’t be getting an extra days pension would they?
Deputy Tadiers idea of 7th May is totally wrong, the Island was still under occupation, it would be like saying thank you Mr. Hitler!
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Hmmm well now there’s a surprise, 80% of people questioned would like an extra day off work.
Next Monday is Presidents day in the USA and is a bank holiday. I propose we make it a local holiday too, and I’ll bet dollars to donuts that 80% of islanders would agree if it means a free day off.
The few Jersey people left here that have any inclination to mark Liberation Day can happily do so on the 9th May as per the other 64 of them previously, and still make it to work on Monday 10th. There’s no need whatsoever to make it an extra day off for the workshy.
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Absolutely outrageous.
The original decision was based on sound ethical and financial princples. The island cannot afford this. The public have a public holiday the 9th May ….Sunday..!!!For those who want to celebrate the Liberation let them go down to the celebrations on the day itself not generate an EXTRA holiday.
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Wake up people!
Even if Friday is given as public holiday (not a bank holiday I hasten to add) then finance will remain open for business…….just like it has for every Liberation Day that has passed in my working life!
The economy will not suffer too much.
As for calling those who would like a public holiday as workshy…..it’s a bit of a contradiction really isn’t it when you think about it?
They are already in work, hence the hope for a day off…..if they were really workshy and sat at home living on benefits then I’m sure they wouldn’t really give a damn!
For those of us in work it has been a hard few years since the global recession so I’m sure it would be nice if some people could get an extra day to re-charge those batteries.
Dorgay 1
How is a pensioner losing out by this potential public holiday?
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Is this the same 80% of the public who think that all the shops should remain open on Sundays and public holidays?
I would like an extra day off every week but unfortunately we have to face reality – a bank holiday would cost many millions in overtime payment in the public sector and cost many millions more in lost productivity in the private sector. We don’t want to pay any more in taxes and nor do we want our state services cut.
Unfortunately such reality accounts for very little in the minds of some politicians – its what grown ups worry about. But then again we elected these clowns.
For locals liberation day is a very special day and for deputy Tadier to cheapen it but using it to make political capital is a disgrace. The States have debated the proposition and made a difficult and unpopular choice – let them now have the guts to uphold the democratic decision making process of our government and spend their time debating the more difficult issues such as sorting out our health service.
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i would just like to agree with most of the above comments liberation day is tobe respected our island was liberated on the 9 of may not the seventh i do wish the deputy would stop taking the popular route ? that would get him re elected and think of the real meaning of the day.
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Once again the States show their total ignorance of public opinion. Should be fun later this year when they try to tackle Christmas day and boxing day(probably about a fortnight beforehand!).
Christmas day falls on a saturday as does new years day and boxing day on Sunday!! If i am not mistaken the Employment Law specifically states Christmas Day as a bank holiday. Remember last Boxing Day? should be fun!
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As as sign of goodwill give everyone a day off. They deserve it what with GST and all that!
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This is going to be another States’ classic.
They will vote for the public holiday on the Friday,some members who voted against the Monday will vote for the Friday, it is ac nonsense but we will get the day off.
Guernsey will have a public holiday on the Monday but we will be off on the Friday.
Once again we see the islands working together!
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If Christmas day falls on a Sunday, we get a day off in lieu. Rightly so.
Do we value the execution of a Jewish revolutionary two thousand years ago more than our democratic freedom? Sure, both are important, but an annual holiday should be annual.
Go, Monty, go! It’s more than just a day off — it’s a celebration of freedom and democracy in one of the oldest democratic states in the world. Ours. Lest we forget…
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Christmas and New Year holidays 2010 are going to be a classic.
States’ employees are going to be entitled to six days off.
Three days off for the bank holidays plus an additional three days as the holidays fall on a weekend!
Private sector employees will be entitled to nothing unless the States vote for it.
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I will be watching with interest the States members who change their original decisions!
The correct decision was made and any “change of heart” is not based on watching the pennies it is based on vote collecting!
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I agree with most of comments 1-10 so far but would just like to point out that 80% of 679 is not very many is it?On first reading 80% of people one assumes that the entire population was consulted but it would appear that not many people bothered voting anyway so this is a bit of a non-story really!
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Cant the States just admit they got it wrong AGAIN, to even propose having the Friday off instead is preposterous. Just admit you got it wrong and give everyone the Monday off – that is the nearest day to the actual holiday. You really don’t need to try and make yourselves look more idiotic than ever by saying no we cant possibly give people the Monday off, but we will give the the Friday – DOH!!!!!!!!
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Once again a back bencher wishes to waste States time on a minor issue for which a decision has already been passed. Monty would do better to show he understands the more complex issues facing this Island and tackle them instead.
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Are the people who want the extra day off actually going to celebrate to fact the islands where liberated or is it because they wont an extra day in bed????
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I think we should get a public holiday. I want to celebrate what my family did in the war and as I do not have weekends free due to charity work I would be thankful for another day off to spend with my grandparents and hear stories of the war.
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Does anybody actually ever NOT complain?
If you look at this page:
http://www.thisisjersey.com/2010/02/03/no-extra-day-off-for-liberation-day/
every comment (almost) is complaining that we are not getting an extra day off. Now almost all of the comments are because people don’t want one!
what a bunch of whiners!
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Out of the 80 per cent of people who want a day off, how many are Jersey?
Sorry 9th May is Liberation day, not any other day, once you change the day you lose the whole meaning.
I am ashamed to call my self a Jerseyman if this is what the Island is coming too.
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Montfort Tadier got into the states because of his little showing of support for haut de la garenne. He has contributed nothing worthwhile to the island.
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Is this guy for real? What a hideous joke he is. Please can we have States members who actually do something worth while instead of coming up with headline grabbers to get the populist vote. How does he propose to make up the £1.5 mil that would need to be paid in overtime and time in lieu for the public sector workers? 80% of 679 is not a lot of people!
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24. Bernard
I strongly advise you to sit in on the next States sitting. You will see Montfort contributes an aweful lot more than most other members and truly does have the consensus of the general population at heart.
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No. 21 (Claire)
” as I do not have weekends free due to charity work”
Claire, let me tell you as gently as I can that pious hypocrisy does not wash.
I am more than sure your “charity” could manage without your noble services for one Sunday in the year.
After all, no one is indispensible.
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The Communist Crapaud (14) would do well to get his myths in the right order:
“Do we value the execution of a Jewish revolutionary two thousand years ago more than our democratic freedom? Sure, both are important, but an annual holiday should be annual”.
Most of us celebrate the birth of your “Jewish revolutionary” in late December. We wait to commemorate his execution until March or April.
I just thought you would like to know. Otherwise you might irritate people.
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post 14.
Christmas Day falls on a Saturday, so according to some posts(and presumably the States) that should be the day off and no other! My point however was that the Employment law specifically names CHRISTMAS DAY as a bank holiday, so if they give a day in lieu,Monday, we get TWO days for Christmas Day LEGALLY??? As i said, should be fun!
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Anyone who listens to the States will know that Montfort Tadier is one of the better members.
Try listening in some time.
There are some almost mindblowingly bad members in the CoM.
No names no pack drill!
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Monty is clearly looking for votes here. 9th May Liberation DAy not the 10th not the 7th. The Island is not in a position to afford an additional day.
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I’m not Jersey but I will commemorate Liberation Day ON Liberation Day, it may not be my family history but it is part of the history of the place in which I now live.
I could have a day off on the Monday but, like many other people I’m sure, my work will simply pile up and I’ll have to make extra time during the rest of the week to get through Monday’s work. I find the suggestion of having the Friday off a little absurd to say the least.
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Well – Monday 10th May is a public holiday here in Guernsey. Not sure why the thought processes were any different between the two islands, but there you go.
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If Jersey ends up with a day off on the Friday and Guernsey has a day off on the Monday then maybe natural justice will be done.
But it will show up the States of Jersey as a legislative body that cannot run their own bath!
But we have known this for years…
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i suppose if you feel that strongly take a day’s annual leave otherwise just get on with your work and be happy you have a job
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@ David #33
“…Not sure why the thought processes were any different between the two islands…”
Because the islands were liberated on different days.
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Methinks young Montfort’s “down with the man in the street” act is somewhat compromised by his two days on, twelve days off, full time pontificating lifestyle.
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J Lamborrari
That’s just semantics. The islands were officially liberated on the same day, i.e. when the Germans surrendered (remember Churchill’s announcement ?).
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The 9th May is also the date that West Germany joined NATO in 1995, becoming our ally. Is it perhaps time to realise that our ends are the same as Germany’s or shall we let our hatred fester for another 65 years to be on the safe side.
NJ.
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Just give a day as a sign of goodwill to the workers that what I say. They have endured a lot this year. It is about time they had recognition for all their hard work. I think big business needs to give a little as a little goes a long way. They don’t want to be branded as scrooges do they?
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#39 You’ve lost me as to what this has to do with festering hatred… have I missed something? You can celebrate liberation without hating the current form of the country you were liberated from.
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Dear Leah,
It’s good to hear from you again. I actually have written to the JEP on this topic and hoping the letter will be in tomorrow’s paper, so I won’t repeat everything here except to say that the notion of Liberation day is not helpful towards reconciliation.
The concept of freedom (as I mention in my letter) can be valued at all times and does not need a 24 hour period of leisure to contemplate. Speaking cynically, there is little doubt in my mind that islanders if given a three day weekend would use this time to mull over our cherished values, perhaps though we can discuss that another time(!)
Rememberance Day on the 11th November where we remember the fallen in various wars does not require a day off but many people often have a minute’s silence as a mark of respect or make a donation to the Poppy Appeal. The concept here is one of remembering the sacrifices made in the past in order to preserve our democracy and values, while not forgetting living veterans.
On the face of it this would seem conceptually to be very similar to the ends of Liberation Day (although I note that war veterans don’t seem to be lobbying for a public holiday). It is a time when the islanders present endured hardship while under military occupation. When the Germans surrendered the day before Liberation Day, no doubt they were overjoyed.
The question is what relevance this has to here and now. Do we deny that there was suffering during the Occupation? No. Does this suffering still endure? Only in the memories of those who were there. Who was there? Only those people who are retired and have no need of a public holiday.
Naturally the disingenuous people who simply want an extra day’s holiday here are going to repeat on here that this day is necessary to commemorate the sacrifices of their ancestors and to reflect on the freedoms they were denied.
As I mentioned, I think they’re simply not being honest in the first instance and just want to bunk off work for another day (who can blame them?!). Secondly, are they then saying that they don’t fully appreciate these ideals the other 365 days of the year?
If however they’re claiming that they can only do so in their spare time, the majority will have a full 48 hours to do so on Liberation Day weekend.
NJ.
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Just because Liberation day falls on a weekend, why would that mean everyone gets an extra day off elsewhere? You can’t just move holidays to suit the lazy people that can’t be bothered to go to work. What about those of us who work all bank holidays anyway? Why should you office people get a day off when the rest of us have to go to work? Where is the fairness in that? You want a day off, but you expect everything you need to be open or operating! Everyone should remember what liberation day is supposed to be about rather than using it as an excuse to have a day in bed!
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@ David #38
“…That’s just semantics. The islands were officially liberated on the same day…”
You’re right it’s just semantics, I should have said not that the islands were liberated on the same day, but instead that they celebrate their liberation on different days (Guernsey, for some reason choosing to, celebrat the day before both islands were officially liberated as you correctly point out)
The thought process regarding the moveable holiday is therefore as I put it in my original response, I can’t answer what Guernsey’s thought process was/is as to why they celebrate the day before the official liberation.
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It gets worse when Jersey wants Friday and Guernsey have Monday. Has anyone thought what this is doing to companies inter Island. For a start the Banks can’t communicate Island. Supermarkets and their logistics will go up the wall on deliveries. It is crazy. Guernsey are in the wrong this time and Jersey in the state got it right I just hope Monty gets slapped down again and the states stick to their original plan. No holiday but thank the lord we still have jobs to go to those of us who can.
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Yes thank the Lord for economic slavery for the majority!
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@ Adrian #46
What on earth do you mean by that? It’s got nothing to do with the celebration of Liberation Day.
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@43. Vicky, thank you for referring to me as being lazy, but in my defense, it’s because I work so hard that I would quite like an extra day off. Not to spend in bed, but to have some extra quality time with my kids.
Also your arguement about having to work bank holidays so everyone should have to lacks logic. I’m very sorry to hear that you have to work bank holidays but can I assume then that you must have a day off in lieu. Well, that’s just not fair. I have to work monday to friday, so, so should you.
If, however you don’t get a day off, then one can only assume that you must work 7 days a week, in which case, perhaps if you had worked a little harder at school you might have landed a job with better conditions.
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@ Big Bean #48
“…in my defense, it’s because I work so hard that I would quite like an extra day off. Not to spend in bed, but to have some extra quality time with my kids…”
So why don’t you just book a day’s extra holiday out of term time? or is it that you think the school holidays aren’t long enough that you’d like another day?
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@49. My point was that just because people would have enjoyed an extra day off, this does not mean that they are lazy.
Vicki may spend all her spare time stewing in her pit, but most people I know make the most of their days off/weekends and use the time constructively.
I’m not too sure what your point is though! and totally lost on the school holiday comment.
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@ Big Ben #50
“…I’m not too sure what your point is though! and totally lost on the school holiday comment.”
My point is (and not direct persoanlly at you, just picking up on the comment you raised)if somebody wants a day off, take it; but don’t feel entitled to it. Nobody is stopping you enjoying the freedom, that Liberation Day represents, to be able to choose to take a holiday with your family, but there are a lot of people whinging that they’re being hard done by by the SoJ for not giving them more holidays.
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