In a position statement prepared by the Prospect and Unite branches of the Jersey Civil Service Association, the unions warn that:

• the tabled proposal no longer refers to a request for a decision 'in principle' raising questions over opportunities to scrutinise the plans or progress at a later date
• previous incorporations, such as Jersey Telecom and Jersey Post, have had a detrimental effect on the terms and conditions of staff
• there is no substantive business case to back the claims of gains following incorporation.

Tom Quinn, Jersey Civil Service Association executive officer said: "Our members firmly believe that public assets such as the Ports of Jersey should remain publicly-owned particularly since if these proposals fail it will still be the people of Jersey that pick up the bill."

Kevin McAlonan, Prospect negotiations officer added: "We urge the members of the States to view these proposals with caution and consider public concern over the ownership of such important strategic assets – after all there isn't another port or airport on the Island which the public can use instead."

View the joint position statement from Prospect and Unite here.