The union will be recommending that members accept the offer as the best achievable by negotiation.

Prospect and other public sector unions have been in dispute with the States of Guernsey on pay since earlier this year.

The offer is:

• a 5% increase to all pay and allowances (in line with normal practice) from 1 January 2019
• a further 5% increase to pay and allowances (in line with normal practice) from 1 September 2019.

The offer also includes a commitment to review public sector workers’ terms and conditions and make recommendations for fair and equal pay including, if appropriate, a timeframe for their implementation by March 2020.

However, the States say actual implementation would be unlikely to start before 2021.

In the meantime, the employer says it “would be keen to reach agreement on a pay deal for 2020 as soon as possible so that next year the unions and employer can work together on:

• a recognition and framework agreement to ensure a clear process is in place for negotiations going forward
• detail on how to achieve fairer pay equality in line with the outcome of the States debate in March.”

The States say that the offer reflects significant movement from their original offer of 3.3% in April 2019.

Prospect national secretary, Ben Middleton, said: “Pay negotiations this year have been difficult and protracted, covering numerous stakeholders and different pay groups, but we are committed to seeking the best possible outcome for all our members in all our talks.

“We believe this offer represents the best achievable by negotiation for our members employed on Agenda for Change terms and conditions.”

The ballot starts on 4 December.