Working week campaign launched

The BCSA is running a campaign against the abolition of the opt out to the maximum average 48 hour working week.

In June last year, ministers reached an agreement on a package of measures relating to the Working Time Directive, including retention of the opt out, but this was reversed by the European Parliament in

December. The British Government wants to keep the opt out and ministers are now in talks with their European counterparts in a process referred to as ‘conciliation’.

Simon Boyd of John Reid & Sons (Strucsteel), speaking on behalf of the BCSA ,said: “Our industry is one in which in good times and bad, work fluctuates and we have to be left free to work the necessary hours to be able to compete in a global market. We have been polling our workers and those of our subcontractors and some 94% want to keep the opt out”.

For further information, please contact Marion Rich, Director of Legal and Contractual Affairs at the BCSA.