Falklands : FIRS INTERVIEWS THE HON MR GAVIN SHORT, MLA
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 27.06.2010 (Article Archived on 11.07.2010)
A Report for FIRS by Stacey Bragger (SB) 21.06.10
FIRS INTERVIEWS THE HON MR GAVIN SHORT, MLA
A Report for FIRS by Stacey Bragger (SB) 21.06.10
SB: Cllr Gavin Short (GS), who was Chairman of the union talks to FIRS about changes to the Union.
GS: I have actually stepped down now into the Vice Chairman’s position and Donald Betts has taken over as Chairman.
SB: Why has that happened?
GS: Basically, when I was elected some years ago I had it in the back of my mind I didn’t want to be around forever as chairman, if you see what I mean. And luckily Donald was elected as Vice at the same time I was elected as Chair. We’ve let it bubble along for a year and I felt it worked well with Donald and he’s a good lad. A kind of plan started forming and I thought this is the chap who can take over. So basically for the last year – year and a half, Donald has actually been running the office side of the business. I actually have nothing to do with that. And this year we finally persuaded them that this is his moment. He’s the man.
SB: Was it complicated at all by the employment law review that you have not been able to take a more active role in that?
GS: Yes – very much so. That was what happened when I got into the world of politics again. The time I had dedicated to the Union got cut right back and I didn’t want to carry on if I could not give time to the Union that it really does need. Also, as you say, when the employment law review came along I was running into the situation of if I sat on the Committee as Union Chief, as it were, I would debar myself from voting further down the line if it ever came to a vote. So this is actually a neat way of stepping back from the whole thing and keeping my powder dry for further down the line if needed.
SB: You have obviously been a big supporter of this review. You must be pleased that it’s happening now?
GS: I am very much so. It’s long overdue and it would be very interesting to see what comes about from the questionnaires but as far as I am concerned this review will happen before the end of our four years is up and things will be put in place. Now it may not be everything because there are things like health and safety which are very necessary but it’s going to take a couple of years, I think, and a couple of people doing nothing but that to get something workable for us in place. I would really not want us to roll in UK Health and Safety as it stands. I think we have to take the practical approach to this. The UK has gone slightly to the lunatic solution on health and safety and I really don’t want us to roll that in as it probably would not be suited for down here, if you see what I mean.
SB: Minimum wage – do you feel that’s important?
GS: It is important. Again, it’s something that a lot of work will have to be done on but I am pretty hopeful for before we finish our term in office there will be a figure in place.
(100X Transcription Service)
|
