Changes to Working Hours. It is recognised that operational difficulties may exist with all technicians commencing work at the same time. In these situations staggered start and finish times may be introduced by agreement between CES and the technician/s concerned. As a consequence, breaks taken during the course of the day will also be varied. Different methods of implementation of the 38 hour week may apply to individual technicians, groups or sections of technicians in the business concerned.
Changes to Working Hours. 4.2.1 With effect from 1.9.2001 all vacant posts will be advertised/filled on the following basis:
i) Posts previously based on a 35-hour week will be 36 hours per week.
ii) Posts previously based on a 37-hour week will continue on that basis until 31 March 2003. From 1 April 2003 the working week will be based on 36 hours per week and there will be a corresponding increase in hourly rates.
4.2.2 The hours of work of staff in post on 1.9.2001 will be protected as follows:
i) Employees whose hours are based on a 35-hour week will continue to work and be paid on that basis for as long as they remain in that post, or any post to which they are assimilated or redeployed in accordance with the schemes set out in part 2, para 13.3 of the local conditions of service.
ii) Employees whose hours are based on a 37-hour week will continue to work on that basis until 31 March 2003. Their working hours will be based on a 36-hour week from 1 April 2003.
4.2.3 In order to minimise the costs of the reduction to a 36-hour week:
i) The working hours of full time staff will be reduced to reflect the new 36-hour week. Where necessary the employee's side will work with managers to achieve this by agreement and without disruption to services. (The National Agreement envisages that the hours of part time staff will be maintained, and paid at the higher hourly rate. In most cases it is not practicable to reduce the hours of part time staff. Where for operational reasons a change is proposed the Employee's Side will be consulted and their agreement sought.
ii) Where transitional arrangements need to be made to achieve the reduction in hours staff will continue to work up to 37 hours per week, (receiving pay at plain time rate for the 37th hour) until the reduction in hours is achieved, or 31 March 2004, whichever is the sooner.
4.2.4 The Council and employees’ side will from 1 April 2004 undertake a joint review to establish the scope to reduce the standard working week to 35 hours (to be completed within six months unless otherwise agreed with the Employee's Side). Such a change will be implemented (including phasing if necessary) subject to it being achievable without disruption to services, and without significant additional cost.
