Pressure is growing on Falkirk councillors to give locals an extra day's holiday to mark the coronation of King Charles. The trade union Unite has now written to all councillors asking them to reject officials' advice to move the traditional May bank holiday from May 1 to May 8, rather than give staff an additional day off.
They are asking councillors not to impose "what is in effect a reduction in holiday entitlement compared with other public sector bodies and private companies". While the Scottish Government has confirmed that there will be an additional bank holiday on Monday, May 8 to recognise the coronation on Saturday, May 6, it will be up to individual councils to make and fund their own arrangements.
A report going to members of Falkirk Council's executive next Tuesday explains that giving staff an additional day off this year - as they did for last year's Jubilee - would cost £260,000. It says that moving the public holiday from May 1 to May 8 "has a minimal impact on cost and service provision" while still allowing the Council to recognise the event.
