Holiday pay row

Union’s call to council

West Lothian Council workers are being left “severely out of pocket” according to UNISON.

The union says the council has repeatedly refused to re-calculate the way holiday pay should be paid to its staff.

West Lothian Council is currently only one of two local authorities left in Scotland who have yet to adopt the holiday pay calculation guidance issued by COSLA in March 2015.

The proposed 8.3 per cent rate would be a substantial amount for staff who regularly work overtime and have shift allowance.

“Our members are losing out on money that could be spent on their families,” said branch secretary Andy Anderson.

“Our neighbouring councils across the Lothians pay this rate, and we can’t see why West Lothian Council have continually refused.

“For example, the 8.3 per cent rate for holiday pay would see a worker on a salary of £23,000 take home an additional £220 per year.”

UNISON Regional Organiser, Janet Stewart, said the union has written to the chief executive and council leader, with no response.

Now UNISON West Lothian is in the midst of launching a campaign in an effort to secure the correct holiday pay for council workers.

She continued: “UNISON has written to Lawrence Fitzpatrick, leader of West Lothian Council, asking him to intervene in our efforts to obtain holiday pay for those who regularly work overtime and those who have shift allowance.

“We had initially written to Graham Hope, chief executive of the council on August 3, asking him to immediately take steps to introduce the 8.3 per cent rate but we have yet to receive a response.

“UNISON West Lothian is committed to holding West Lothian Council accountable for this and ensuring that the members affected get what they are entitled to.”

A West Lothian Council spokesperson said: “We are aware of this correspondence from UNISON, and are currently taking legal advice.

“We will respond in due course.”