The Construction Industry Joint Council has issued a statement on the question of Bank Holiday pay for the Queen’s funeral, stating that the decision is up to individual employers
The Construction Industry Joint Council (CIJC) has responded to the question of Bank Holiday pay for the Queen’s funeral with the assertion that due to the short notice of the event, it will leave the decision of whether or not to ask staff to work on the Bank Holiday to individual businesses and employers. The question of holiday pay for those not working will also be up to the employers.
This is an unusual move from the CIJC, which has previously honoured all additional bank holidays.
The decision is also unique amongst the industry- both the NAECI agreement (mechanical engineering) and both parts of the Joint Industry Board agreement (electricians and plumbing) have agreed to honour the additional paid public holiday.
The decision on Bank Holiday pay for the Queen’s funeral has been met with criticism
Construction union Unite has already received an email from a major joint venture company on HS2 indicating that they do not require their contractors to pay workers holiday pay on the day of the Queen’s funeral unless additional bank holidays, such as the Jubilee, are covered in their agreements.
Unite national officer for construction Jerry Swain said: “The CIJC has abdicated its responsibility and left thousands of construction workers in limbo, not knowing if they are required to work or if they will be paid.
“This is a hugely disrespectful act to the Queen and the Royal Family. These CIJC employers federations have brought shame on the construction sector disrespected the Royal Family and ignored the mood of the nation.
“The cost of paying a worker an additional bank holiday equates to just seven minutes pay for every year that the Queen loyally served our country, it is peanuts for these construction employers.
“The construction trade federations and their members should be hanging their collective heads in shame. The federations now need to take a long hard look at who they have representing them. It is clear they need to appoint representatives who have a grasp of what is taking place rather than simply sending messengers. Who have failed the industry and the nation.”
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Following pressure from Unite, workers on major construction projects such as Hinkley Point and the Silvertown tunnel are being paid for the bank holiday for the Queen’s funeral. These employers have taken the correct decision. It is to say the least inexcusable that the CIJC has not followed suit.
The CIJC Statement can be read below:
“The State Funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II takes place on Monday 19th September 2022.
“That day is the last day of the period of national mourning and has been declared a bank holiday.
“The sad event leading to next Monday’s bank holiday could not be anticipated and was not provided for in the CIJC Working Rule Agreement, Holiday Entitlement 2022.
“Guidance on how employers may choose to approach time off and payment for this additional bank holiday has been issued by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy.
“The information includes the statement that ‘There is no statutory entitlement for time off for bank holidays’ and ‘We also expect employers to respond sensitively to requests from workers who wish to take the day of the funeral off work’.
“In practice, with the short notice of the bank holiday, its affect, and the great variety of operational work/numerous work locations planned for next Monday, there will be operatives required to work and others not required to work.
“Consequently, taking all relevant factors that apply into account, it will be for each business/employer to determine how they will view the day, and whether time off, paid or unpaid, will be given.”
