Council workers in Portsmouth set for one additional day off at Christmas
HARDWORKING council staff are set to get an extra day of annual leave over the Christmas period in recognition of their efforts during the pandemic.
Portsmouth councillors approved an additional day of to be taken on either Christmas Eve or New Year's Eve for authority workers including those on the lowest pay such as care home staff and cleaners.
During an employment committee meeting this week members also agreed to aim for an award ceremony in the future as a way of thanks.
Speaking at the meeting council leader, Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson, said: 'It is right we thank people working throughout the pandemic, they are really putting themselves out.
'It's not just in social care but across the whole of the council people have been working really really hard to look after the people of the city.'
It comes after Cllr Vernon-Jackson wrote to Chancellor Rishi Sunak urging him not to freeze the pay of public sector workers.
He added: 'I think it seems to me outrageous to suggest people who have been working as hard as the people here at the council, should be in line for a pay freeze in recognition for all their work.
'I hope the government doesn't go through the route of saying people are worth less than in previous years when they have worked so incredibly hard.'
Portsmouth council staff who are on the rota to work on Christmas Eve or New Year's Eve will be given an extra day's annual leave to be taken at another time.