15th March 2009, 12:37 PM
Good points teamonster, however IF there has been an accepted practice that away accommodation and subs are given for jobs of this type and duration(despite the iffy tax position), and then they are taken away (perhaps to resolve that tax position) then that would be a variation to established conditions and should be reflected in the pay.
I think there will be enough local diggers, with lots of experience, who will be happy to staff these sites in these times, after all, enough of us have to drive a fair whack every day. What I am worried about is IF the standard practice has been changed, that this has not been reflected in pay. As I have said in previous posts on this thread, its a difficult and divisive issue, especially on sites where some staff are from head office and some are locally hired, and they got different subs. I think the units are being upfront, which is good, but I would like to know if there has been a change, and if this is to become the new accepted practice (quite possibly due to tax laws) then whether there needs to be some resolution of the effect on pay.
It has to be remembered that this appears to be staff hired for a specific single project, for a few months, not a general change to away job rules, (i.e. if these staff were then sent to Cirencester, they would get away subs/accomm) but clarity is needed so everyone knows where they stand.
I think there will be enough local diggers, with lots of experience, who will be happy to staff these sites in these times, after all, enough of us have to drive a fair whack every day. What I am worried about is IF the standard practice has been changed, that this has not been reflected in pay. As I have said in previous posts on this thread, its a difficult and divisive issue, especially on sites where some staff are from head office and some are locally hired, and they got different subs. I think the units are being upfront, which is good, but I would like to know if there has been a change, and if this is to become the new accepted practice (quite possibly due to tax laws) then whether there needs to be some resolution of the effect on pay.
It has to be remembered that this appears to be staff hired for a specific single project, for a few months, not a general change to away job rules, (i.e. if these staff were then sent to Cirencester, they would get away subs/accomm) but clarity is needed so everyone knows where they stand.