The Scottish Government recently agreed with a proposal from the UK Government that the Early May Bank Holiday next year (2020) should be moved from Monday 4 May to Friday 8 May.  This change is designed to provide that the Bank Holiday falls on the 75^th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day.    The idea being that the whole of the UK could therefore observe the Bank Holiday on the same day and the formal proclamation to this effect will be made in due course by the Privy Council.

The Senior Leadership Team (SLT) in Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) agreed with this proposal, as did the FRSA, and it was SFRS’ intention to recognise this historic day.   This meant that in 2020 the Uniformed Public Holiday, which normally occurs on the first Monday of May, will move to Friday 8 May 2020. It also would have meant that any enhancements due to those Uniformed colleagues working on a public holiday would apply on Friday 8 May, rather than Monday 4 May.    

The public holiday would then revert back to the first Monday in May In 2021.

However, we have now learned that the FBU objected to the movement of the public holiday on 4^th May 2020 to 8^th May 2020, and therefore the status quo will prevail, and Monday 4^th May 2020 will remain the designated public holiday within SFRS.

We are disappointed with this outcome and struggle to comprehend why another union would oppose this unique opportunity to honour, respect and celebrate the monumental acts of bravery undertaken to protect all of our futures.