14.02.11
Royal Wedding row over NHS pay
Many NHS staff will not get paid any extra money for working during the Royal Wedding, when most people will be off work enjoying the extra Bank Holiday.
Unison, which represents thousands of healthcare staff, said trusts were being “mean” and that the usual Bank Holiday arrangement was normal pay plus 60%, as well as a day off in lieu.
Each hospital is deciding its own arrangements for time off and pay for the Royal Wedding day on April 29.
Unison’s Mike Jackson said: “It’s only fair to pay nurses and hospital staff a little bit extra, for coming in and running essential services on the royal wedding day. It’s been declared a public holiday and they will be missing out on celebrations across the country and with friends and family.
“There is not much for staff to celebrate in the NHS at the moment, with the prospect of a two-year pay freeze and job cuts looming large. It is mean-minded and demoralising of trusts to spoil this special day by refusing overtime rates.
“The decision on whether to pay or not should not be left to the whim of individual trusts.”
Unison is meeting NHS Employers on February 25 for talks over the Bank Holiday row.
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