Payment for staff required to work on the Diamond Jubilee special public holiday

Published: 24 May 2012

Along with the other health unions in Northern Ireland, the RCN has expressed an objection to the DHSSPS decision not to pay bank holiday rates in respect of the exceptional bank holiday for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee on 5 June. 

Guidance issued by the DHSSPS on 5 March stated that staff required to work on this day will receive equivalent time off but not the relevant payment associated with bank holiday rates. The RCN believes this to be unfair and disadvantages staff who cover essential services, in particular nursing staff.

The RCN has also been receiving queries from members regarding which services will be open on 5 June and on what basis. There appears to be a lack of clear direction within the HSC on this matter and the RCN is concerned that this has the potential to create division in the workplace.

The health trade unions have raised this issue at a regional level and have now written to the Health Minister requesting him to reverse the decision and put in place a full public holiday for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee for all HSC staff on 5 June.