Unite issues public apology after AFRS members claimed being 'thrown under the bus'

Unite has apologised to its Airport Fire and Rescue Service members, saying it did not intend to undermine the workforce in any way.

This comes after members of the AFRS called for a public apology, saying Unite had thrown them under the bus in its defence of the Gibraltar Fire and Rescue Service and its ongoing claim.

In a letter to AFRS Unite Shop Steward Daniel Cornelio, provided to GBC by the union, National Officer Stuart Davies says he met with the AFRS members for a "candid exchange of views".

Mr Davies says at that meeting, he apologised on behalf of Unite for citing the AFRS in the union's correspondence with the Government over the GFRS claim.

He says this letter is to put that apology in writing, saying this was a "clear oversight and error".

Mr Davies says it is a fundamental principle that the AFRS Unite membership alone should determine any position on their conditions of employment, and that this will be strictly observed in future.

He says he maintains that Unite can continue to effectively represent AFRS individually and collectively, adding he hopes to meet with the membership again in better circumstances.