30/09/03 - Holiday pay boost for home carers

Home Carers currently or previously employed by Cumbria County Council are to benefit from changes in the way holiday pay is calculated. The Council’s decision to improve holiday pay arrangements reflects European Working Time Directive Regulations and supersedes a previous collective agreement between the Council and the Trade Unions that limited holiday pay to a maximum of 37 hours. Under the new arrangements holiday pay will be calculated on the average pay each individual earned in the preceding 12 weeks.

Mike Ash, Deputy Leader of the Council explains:

“Home Carers do a fantastic job in supporting some of the most vulnerable people in the county.  This Council is committed to being a good employer and we will continue to review the longstanding agreements on pay and conditions which have previously been negotiated within the county, and which do not entirely follow National or European requirements and guidance.” 

County Councillor Jack Richardson. Chairman of the Staff Employers Consultative Group adds,

“After many years this Council is now making real progress on issues such as Single Status.  However we feel it appropriate that we deal with holiday pay for home carers now. This could amount to some £800,000 in total.  We have put money aside in the County Council budget to deal with modernising some of the old collective agreements that had been previously been in force.

This Council will continue to work with the Trade Unions to agree updated working arrangements where we believe previous agreements and conditions of employment are unfair.”