Council workers in West Dunbartonshire who are missing out on the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee bank holiday will now benefit from a day in lieu.
The local authority had previously agreed to give all its staff the day off on Friday, April 3 apart from those who were required to work or those who had reduced their hours as a result of Covid-19, following the advice of the trade unions. Those who wanted to join the national four-day celebration would had to have taken a day off from their own annual leave.
Following fresh discussions with the trade unions, a motion by councillor Jim Bollan, was brought before full council this week that asked council to agree that all employees should enjoy the benefits of the additional holiday. The method currently being used disadvantages some employees who are not programmed to work on Friday, April 3.
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Councillor Bollan’s motion said: “Employees who have condensed their hours to assist during the pandemic, part time workers and shift workers - predominantly home care workers who have gone the extra mile during the last two years, are missing out.
“Staff working from home will also be impacted. The council agrees the day/time will be awarded without loss of pay to all employees equally, on a pro rata basis. Any such costs can be met from non earmarked reserves from the responsible body.”
Speaking about his motion, councillor Bollan said that it was important that all council workers be treated equally and none are penalised regarding the jubilee holiday.
He said: “Currently some staff members will miss out because they agreed to management requests to condense their 37 hour working week into a four day week meaning they only work Monday to Thursday.
“A thousand workers could be missing out on the holiday which is around 20 percent of our workforce. Is that fair?
“The holiday falls on Friday, June 3 and because of this some staff members will miss out on getting a holiday or a pro rata payment. This will also affect staff working from home which is becoming almost the default position which in my opinion has gone too far.
“This motion seeks to ensure that all workers will benefit from a day’s holiday on a monetary equivalent.”
Council leader Jonathon McColl said that while he was happy to support the motion, he pointed out that what was being proposed would have been agreed at an earlier date had the trade unions not asked for something else.
Councillor McColl said: “What we implemented as a council was as a result of a consultation with trade unions but I am happy to accept they have now come back and changed their minds on that.
“I would say to the trade unions in the future it would be good if you could be sure about what you want the council to do.”
