WHAT THE INDUSTRY SAYS
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Ruth Pott, director of employment affairs for the Road Haulage Association, confirms that employers don’t have to pay for bank holidays “unless it’s a contractual matter”. She adds that statutory leave was increased in 2009, so that UK employees are now entitled to a minimum 5.6 weeks paid annual leave (see panel top right).
Paul Arthurton, owner of Paul Arthurton Transport based in Attleborough, Norfolk, is gloomy about the prospect of so many holidays coming at once: “It knocks seven bells out of the week – you are paying extra though you’re not earning extra.” His drivers get a £25 premium for working bank holidays. “Many drivers don’t want extra time off because in small firms we are more dedicated to the job – they get paid for the bank holidays, but if they want to work we will find them a job if we can.” He queries why the Royal wedding is being held on a Friday. “In these constrained times it would be better for industry if it was on a Saturday,” he says, adding that, “we are all under pressure, but people still need food in their shops.” Other operators share the view that bank holidays come and go, but it’s business as usual for hauliers. “We are always working,” says Charlie Anderson, northern transport manager for Clipper Logistics, which distributes goods for high street retailer New Look. “Our drivers get extra payment if they work bank holidays, but in every other respect we are operational and it’s just a normal working week.”