NHS trusts 'cheating' workers over jubilee - claim
More than 100 NHS trusts across the UK – including two in the Midlands – have been accused of cheating employees out of their long jubilee weekend.
More than 100 NHS trusts across the UK – including two in the Midlands – have been accused of cheating employees out of their long jubilee weekend.
Health workers' union Unite today claimed a total of 113 NHS employers were refusing to recognise the jubilee day on Tuesday as a bank holiday and criticised the attitude of bosses.
Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals Trust and Dudley Group of Hospitals Trust are on a "name-and-shame" list released by the union.
Unite representatives claim workers will have to fork out higher childcare rates but will not be compensated by a higher pay rate usually awarded for working a bank holiday.
Head of health at the union, Rachael Maskell, today attacked "mean-spirited" health executives for treating the bonus day off as a normal working day.
"This is going to hit thousands of NHS staff who will be maintaining the smooth-running of the health service without any acknowledgement from their employers of this special day, while millions of others will be enjoying the occasion," she said.
"We feel that the employers are behaving in a mean-spirited fashion in treating the bank holiday as a normal working day."
But Unite's claim has come under fire by health bosses in the Black Country, arguing the extra day is a 'public holiday' instead of a normal bank holiday, meaning different rules apply.
Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals spokeswoman Sam Turner said staff would not be paid any extra but would receive a lieu day if they work on Tuesday.
"It is not nor has never been a 'bank holiday'. It is deemed a 'public holiday' where we operate minimum staffing levels," she said.
Similar arrangements are in place at the Dudley Group of Hospitals. Chief executive Paula Clark said staff required to work on the day of the jubilee would be awarded their day off at a later date.
By Charlotte Cross