HARROW Council is being sued for failing to allow workers adequate break times.
Seven staff at the council's 24-hour emergency helpline, which co-ordinates urgent responses to alarm calls including those from elderly and vulnerable residents, will have their case heard at an employment tribunal after being denied their lawful right to take a minimum rest of 20 minutes after six hours work as laid down in the Working Time Directive.
The workers' bid will be backed by the GMB union. A spokesman for the union said, "I am confident that GMB can win this case for the helpline workers who are being exploited by Harrow Council. The seven Harrow helpline workers originally raised this with their managers in November 2003 and despite numerous requests to stop breaching their rights, Harrow Council has continued to ignore this matter. The GMB has been left with no option but to commence legal proceedings."
A date is yet to be set for the employment tribunal hearing.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article