Councillors reject bank holiday for King Charles’ coronation
Council workers will not be given a day off following King Charles’ coronation in May.
Councillors were given the option of making Monday, 8th May – two days after the coronation – either a bank holiday, or giving council staff an extra day’s leave for this day.
That would have cost the SIC almost £92,000, and seen all schools closed for the day.
But North Isles councillor Robert Thomson said he had “no idea why we would possibly give an additional holiday” given the council’s current financial situation.
He also questioned why there should be a public holiday two days after the actual coronation.
His concerns were echoed by depute leader Gary Robinson at Monday’s policy and resources committee meeting.
He said he had “no hesitation” in turning down the holiday, with Dennis Leask, Duncan Anderson and Davie Sandison all of the same view.
Councillors had been told that not awarding the holiday could lead to “low morale” among employees, and that other local authorities were either issuing a public holiday or giving an additional day’s leave.
People are being encouraged to volunteer locally on the Monday, in a scheme called “The Big Help Out”.
But Mr Thomson said Shetlanders were already well-known for their volunteering.
James palmer
Why is everything about money ,I bet the big boys will be taking a day off to drink whisky and play a round of golf,no wonder ppl take days off playing sick,greed greed greed will get the better of everyone in the future and COVID is the biggest excuse to take days off
Joseph Ronalds
SIC will have regained enough revenue from the non payment of teachers salary for the strike days. Also the argument about no point in having a day off two days after the event, would mean the same would go when Christmas Day falls on a Sunday, sounds like republicanism to me!