19/02/2014 BBC Channel Islands News

you. That is all from

Tonight the strike is off. Condor Ferries crew will sail the Condor

Rapide from St Malo tomorrow morning ` two weeks after workers walked

out. The strike's cost the company at least half a million pounds, and

caused disruption to passengers and businesses across the islands. We'll

hear from the head of Condor James Fulford shortly but before that Jen

Smith reports on a fortnight of industrial action.

13 days, more than half a million pounds, and scores of cancelled

services later. The strike is over. Condor's French sailors first walked

out on February the 6th in a row over workers rights. They wanted to

be on French contracts with the benefits those entail. That's not

happened, but Condor says they've made compromises. Condor won't

reveal specific information about individual contracts. But the Chief

Executive has revealed the company has agreed to many of the worker's

demands for better benefits` including improved medical

insurance, accidental insurance and improved training programmes. Condor

also remains open to discussions about re`registering the vessel

under a French flag. It's not just condor that's been left out of

pocket. The strike has cost some businesses thousands of pounds, and

left others stranded in France. Geoff Spencer Tucker told the BBC

his ski business has lost out. We had 26 people that were due to go to

the Pyrenees for a weekend trip Obviously we could not go. Lots of

people were disappointed, myself included. Some were able to read

book. Some, unfortunately could not, because of family or work

commitments. `` re`book. The Channel Island governments

recently renewed Condor's contract to provide ferry services to the

islands. There's five years left to run on the existing agreement, and

Jersey's Economic Development Minister Senator Alan Maclean admits

he can't guarantee such strike action won't happen again. We have

to make sure that we are not held hostage the way we have been over

this particular situation. Any areas which take that risk away, we need

to consider. We will make strong demands of Condor to deliver.

Condor hopes the Rapide will sail from St Malo tomorrow morning. But

two weeks of disruption won't be easily forgotten.

James Fulford is the CEO of Condor Ferries, I spoke to him from our

Southampton newsroom a short while ago and asked him for more

information on the contracts agreed with the French and what concessions

had been made. All of our crews get the same contracts. They are with a

Guernsey `based employer and get Guernsey contract. But in the UK you

expect certain benefits from the government, like, for example, the

National Health Service. In France that does not happen, so we put

together and a la carte sort of health benefits to match what our UK

crews expect to get. So all contracts are the same? In terms of

pay, yes, but we have spotted a gap for our French employees. We have

enabled them to have some private medical insurance that British crews

would not need, because of the NHS. They are proud guys and would not

have done this lightly. And I don't think they will do it again now that

we are working much better with them. Did the company get it wrong

with the French workers? To some extent we could have done better.

Nobody has won the of this. It has been really difficult for the crew,

the company, and the Islanders. I would not describe it as you did,

but like anything, there are ways of working better, more effect of the.

`` effectively. Businesses have lost out as a result. Will your company

offer them compensation? I would not go that far. Looking at most

insurance policies this is an action which was, if you like, we were

notified. `` not notified. It was unforeseen. Looking backwards, there

may have been things we could have done better, but that is very

different to sing we should be held up for that. That would be an

opportunistic approach. Well, the end of one strike there in

France, but in Jersey there's been a 70% increase in workplace disputes

involving groups of employees according to the island's mediation

service. Jersey Advisory and Conciliation Service, known as JACS,

saw 250 cases of collective disputes last year. It's putting that down to

changes in worker's pay and conditions. Earlier David

Witherington from Jacs explained what those changes are.

During the worst of the economic Times lots of restructuring for

businesses, but London says, different working hours, times,

patterns six , et. `` redundancies. It is mostly unions. There are some

staff associations, but mostly unions. How do we compare with the

UK? It is not dissimilar. Guernsey appears to have a different view.

They do not have the major issues we have had. What are the other

workplace issues people come to you with? Performance and management.

Because people employ less staff they expect more from the staff they

have and manage them more closely. That kind of firm management can

create problems, people feel it upon and bullied. What does the landscape

look like to you for the year ahead? Easier than in the last two years.

More people are employing staff we are seeing less redundancies. There

are still some reorganisation to go. Introduction of things like

discrimination law, paternity benefits, etc, that will be largely

different for Jersey. Staying with employment issues, and

Army reservists will have to wait until 2015 to get job protection,

according to Jersey's social security minister. The island's 70

reservists currently rely on the goodwill of employers to keep them

in their jobs while they are serving with the British Army. The unit has

previously warned that the lack of protection was undermining

recruitment efforts. Guernsey police have this evening

released the name of the man whose body was found on Monday lunchtime,

75`year`old, Brian Kendrick, identified today. The case is being

treated as suspicious and enquiries are ongoing. Because of death is

unknown at this stage. # the cause of death.

Upsetting pictures now. Hundreds of dead sea birds have been found on

Jerseys beaches because of the recent storms. Over 450 have been

found in the last two to three weeks. The birds are of various

species including Puffins, razorbills, guillemots and local

european shacks ` which are already in decline. A survey is being

carried out across the Channel Islands to document how many birds

have been affected by the severe weather. If any member of the public

wants to help, we ask, take a picture so that we get help identify

the species. Then dispose of it You can report it, we collect all the

records. If you find the bird alive, called the shelter, they will pick

it up and look after it. Next, solar panels could be the

answer to saving Guernsey thousands of pounds each year. The States are

investigating how beneficial they would be and say ` with them

becoming more affordable ` they could be installed on to the roofs

of States buildings across the island. Penny Elderfield reports.

Although it doesn't feel like we've seen much of this recently. Should

we be making more of what we get? As technology advances generating power

with solar panels is becoming more affordable. So move over seagulls `

the States want to put some on here` in fact enough enough solar panels

to provide this building with hot water. We hope it could provide 60%

of hot water use in the building throughout the year. We would still

need to supply the other 40% through other means. We are looking at that.

It is still an expensive technology and must be evaluated carefully

It would save around ?1,500 a year on bills here ` paying for itself in

less than a decade. Not a huge amount ` but it all adds up. The

States are really using Frossard House as a bit of a test, and if the

technology works here it could be rolled out at other States

properties. But at the same time they're looking at other larger

sites to see what scope there is to generate energy there. We are going

to look at everything. Not just Holdings, land that we own. We are

looking at other quarry sites. There are some in our ownership, we would

have to work with the States, but we are actively looking and pulling

together business cases. Guernsey may not have the space for

a solar farm like this. But if we have enough sun, and enough money to

invest initially. This could be an idea that saves money in the long

run. The Fire and rescue service will

become the first organisation in the island to use a twitter alert system

to keep the public updated. It will only be for safety critical

information, in addition to conventional ways of alerting the

public. This is all about safety critical messages. We will only use

it for safety critical messages such as severe flooding warnings,

evacuation notices, information that there is a major incident going on

and we need to get you specific information.

Jersey physio Paul Frankham has been in Sochi working with the USA men's

ski team Who took silver and bronze in the men's in the Super Giant

Slalom, which Paul says has created a great buzz in the team. We caught

up with Paul and asked him what his typical day as the team's physio was

like. My working day? It starts very early. Up and at it before the sun

comes up. We drive up to the mountains. We get into our training

until about 12pm. Come down, that is when I get into my work as a

physiotherapist. Management of injuries. Then I usually carry that

right the way through, some sport in the middle with the guys, helping

out with the conditioning staff then I get into bed and start all

over again! Race day will be soon, a slightly different schedule, but

looking forward to it. And now the weather.

We are at about eight degrees overnight. Not that one.

Temperatures not that good form the snowy slopes, we could do with

lower. At the moment, it will be breezy. Early rain will clear and be

followed by showers. Still unsettled. A slightly different

strength of wind compared with last week. This front will move across

bringing outbreaks of rain earlier in the day. On Friday, a mixture of

sunshine and showers. The rain overnight, bringing low cloud and

mist. By mid`morning it is clearing. One or two of the showers could be

quite lively. Temperatures possibly reaching 11 Celsius. Brisk wind will

mean it feels colder than temperatures suggest. Rain followed

by showers, good visibility. The high water times:

and for our surface, rather choppy. `` surfers. Friday, slightly colder.

Sunshine and showers just about covers it. Before it gets light we

could have more persistent rain But gone by the time most of us get up,

and a fine day. Thank you very much. That is all for

now. Goodbye. early on for City, but the

Lancashire side wiped that out. In added time, referee Andy D'Urso

awarded Exeter a penalty, but Morecambe protested that David

Wheeler dived when he was challenged. After the intervention

of the linesman, D'Urso reversed his decision.

Now all this week we're finding out about the work of the North Devon

Hospice, as it celebrates its 30th anniversary. We've already seen how

people are cared for at the hospice itself, but much of its work is

carried out in the community. A new "Hospice to Home" service means the

care's available 24 hours a day and a team of nurses from the hospice

make around 5,000 visits to patients at home each year. Spotlight's North

Devon reporter Andrea Ormsby spent the day with one nurse on her

travels. The maths is simple, over 800 square

miles of North Devon. A lot of time in the car. Between them, the driver

and 55,000 miles every year. I am going this morning to see a family

whose situation is quite complex. Although they have support it as an

opportunity in the alone home to talk about how things are for them.

On an average day, she will do around four or five home visits.

Each community nurse looks after between 25 and 30 patients and their

families. First visit of the day is Martin and his wife and carer Ann..

She will write it down and fight our corner. She is brilliant and I can

say that about the hospice in general. They are absolutely

brilliant. Although you speak very openly with me I am conscious that

is always in front of Ann and you worry about that impact so I think

you need the one to one to talk about how you are feeling. Martin

has a brain tumour and he found out three years ago it is malignant. As

well as home visits he goes to the hospice once a week. How much harder

would life be at the moment of the hospice did not exist? It would be

difficult. They are the lifeblood. For Ann, the hospice provides a

holistic approach, the spiritual and emotional as well. Without it we

would be addressed. My husband has very low times and they are always

there. I think we are very lucky in North Devon. The visits here are as

much for Ann as Martin. If the carer is not OK the patient will not be

either so it is a recognition. I am not saying GPs do not but it is much

more intangible than that. It is like being enveloped in a big hug.

You just feel safe. And while Mary is still inside the hospice in yet

another form comes knocking. It is time for Martin's day trip to the

hospice building. A volunteer driver will take him and bring him home.

North Devon hospice started by caring for people at home in 30

years later it is still where the majority of care takes place with

the emphasis for the future of even more careless way. `` clear this

way. And tomorrow we'll be finding out

more about those volunteer drivers and the support they provide for

those who use the hospice. Our reporters are spending this week

travelling the Legion from West to East to see the impact of recent

storms. Nowhere has escaped the effects of the weather.

He is today in south Devon. They three of my journey around the storm

hit south`west. It starts with a walk on the sea wall. Father Ron

becomes a walk the wild side, a huge crater the length of a football

pitch has been gouged out of the village green. Last Friday's mega

storm. We are in the spear because no one knows what has happened or

what is to be done about it. We need the people in charge to come and

have a discussion with the people in the village who have often been here

for a upon generation. More evidence here of the power of the sea. You

can see the sand and shingle just blown onto the road on both sides.

It does not seem much but it gives you an indication of the power of

the waves. A holiday resort smack bang on the coast is my next stop.

This is nothing funny about what has happened to the amusements. I find

this. It is soul destroying. Relentless waves bouncing off the

sea wall punched holes in the PR's floor. Rio Grande unusual machines

lie ruined. The owner assured us the destruction. They were original and

people came here year after year. It doesn't go with the water. We have

lost the whole lot. They have seen their fair share of winners and

losers over the years but the owner is determined the storms will not

defeat it. The scale of the damage is

unbelievable. Thank you for all your suggestions for places for John to

visit. Please keep them coming in, we can't promise we'll get to all of

them but we'll visit as many as we can. John will be on BBC Radio

Devon's breakfast programme with Matt Woodley tomorrow morning to

reveal where he's going next. The after`effects of the weather are

still making headlines but things have calmed down?

Sunshine over the weekend and the early part of this week but there's

an unsettled beam. `` theme. This with some showers and a bit of

sunshine in between. It is very grey and misty and marquee with this line

of clouds here across us. It is fairly active sort will bring us

more persistent rain for a time but by the middle of the day, showers

continuing into Friday. The isobars squeeze a bet is by Friday we see

the winds increase. Generally below gale force for all of us. A lot of

clouds now and it will be quite a mild night. The low cloud and hill

fog and temperatures will not fall too much. Quite wet with outbreaks

of light and patchy rain but more persistent rain will move on. We

wake up to a wet start with the winds in the South revealing

south`westerly. Tomorrow is a mild start but damp and the sunshine will

be back out with a scattering of showers. Lengthy spells of sunshine

in between the showers and a blustery south`west wind. Top

temperature of around about 10 Celsius. Later in the day

temperatures will begin to lower. That is the forecast. Times of high

water. The waves are no where near as big

as they were last week but still on the job they said. `` choppy side. I

have to say they are no where near as strong as they were last week.

The winds are from the South West. Slowly dropping to a force for

later. `` force four. The outlook is still unsettled. We may see some

persistent rain moving through the English Channel clearing by the time

most of us are up. Generally light winds and on Friday plenty of

showers around. Some of them could turn out to be quite heavy. On

Sunday the rain returns, how quickly that sets in on Sunday is a little

uncertain but probably the afternoon will turn out quite wet for all of

us. That's all for tonight. Tomorrow we

will see where John Henderson ends up in his two of the Legion. Good

night. `` region.