Big `no' from industry to Govt's holiday plans
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THE HAULAGE industry was one of the protestors against Government proposals to move the early May Bank Holiday to link up with the Spring Bank Holiday at the end of the month.
Industries with tight delivery schedules as an essential feature of their business operations would be disrupted by this move, according to Sir Terence Beckett, director general of the Confederation of British Industry.
In a letter to the Government, Sir Terence said that more problems would be caused than solved, if any change took place. "Our members do not meet significant production problems with the present May Day arrangements and therefore see no substantial reason for change."
The National Farmers' Union and the Food Manufacturers' Federation are strongly opposed to the idea, as the end of May is a particularly busy time for them. The prospect of two Bank Holidays at that time is "distinctively undesirable", he added.
The printing and newspaper publishing industries have also come out against the proposal, as have the industries that work 24 hours a day.
The CBI has accepted that there is a need for broader examination of the whole concept of Bank Holidays, and hope to encourage greater flexibility in their arrangement.