Xmas working counter proposals

It looks likely that there will be a failure to agree to the proposals from Amey on Xmas working, a number of union reps have some major issues with it, which inevitably calls for counter proposals on the subject.

Below are a set of counter proposals that I have submitted to our lead officer, I know other union reps have chipped in with a number of suggestions and points. What the eventual form of counter proposals that will be submitted to Amey will be is not clear, but it is hoped that there will be some improvement in a number of areas. One is the question in connection with lieu days, another is the strings attached to the bonus payment. So hopefully, that counter proposal will be revealed shortly, and we'll know what Amey's response is to it shortly after that. And then we'll know where we stand.

CHRISTMAS 2009 AND NEW YEAR 2010

WORKING AND PAYMENT ARRANGEMENTS

Please see below the proposed working and payment arrangements for Amey staff working or required to be on 'contingency cover' over the Christmas 2009 and New Year 2010 bank holiday period:

The following outline the working and payment arrangements over the period for those employee who volunteer to work:-

1. CHRISTMAS

· Friday 25th December 2009 - 'Rostered and not required'
· Saturday 26th December 2009 - 'Rostered and not required'
· Monday 1st January 2007 - 'Rostered and not required'
· For turns commencing during the period 17:00 hours on Thursday 24th December 2009 to 05:59 hours on Sunday 27th December 2009 and also where the majority of time worked fall within this period:-
· £350 (taxable) bonus.
· plus appropriate enhancement (double time).
· plus compensation day off in lieu.

CONTINGENCY COVER

· Employees required to be on 'contingency cover' (on-call) between 12:00 hours on Thursday 24th December 2009 to 12:00 hours on Sunday 27th December 2009 to receive a lump sum of £175 for each period of such commitment where the majority of the 'contingency cover' (on-call) falls within this period. If required to work, a minimum of 3 hours payment at the appropriate enhanced rate will be paid. In addition, a compensation day off in lieu is granted after 3.5 hours.
· It should be noted that in the event of being required to attend work and they complete 50% or more of what would be deemed a normal shift, the bonus payment will be £350 and NOT £175.

2. NEW YEAR

· Friday the 1st of January 2010- 'Rostered and not required'
· For turns commencing during the period 17:00 hours on Thursday the 31st of December 2009 and 05:59 on Saturday the 2nd of January 2010 and also where the majority of time worked falls within this period:-
· £350 (taxable) bonus.
· plus appropriate enhancement (double time).
· plus compensation day off in lieu.

CONTINGENCY COVER

· Employees required to be on 'contingency cover, (on-call) between 12:00 hours on Thursday the 31st of December 2009 to 12:00 hours on Saturday 1st December 2010 to receive a lump sum of £175 for each period of such commitment where the majority of the 'contingency cover' (on-call) falls within this period. If required to work, a minimum of 3 hours payment at the appropriate enhanced rate will be paid. In addition, a compensation day off in lieu is granted after 3.5 hours.
· It should be noted that in the event of being required to attend work and they complete 50% or more of what would be deemed a normal shift, bonus payment payable will be £350 (taxable) bonus and NOT £175.

Future

To facilitate speedy conclusion of negotiations in future situations, it is proposed that the basic points of the above remain pretty much unchanged, with only the bonus payments increasing by whatever percentage was agreed in the annual payrise talks any given year.