15th December 2006, 10:49 PM
I think you will find, if I interpret all the opaque allusions correctly, that the problem here is that the company in question had work suspended as a result of the weather (to protect the landowners, coincidentally), with no clear date for a restart in the New Year. This does not appear to be a case where contract dates are used with intent to avoid holiday pay but rather an unfortunate coincidence of circumstances. In such a case, they seem quite legitimately to have exercised their right to give notice as per any agreed contract terms. Unless of course those affected can demonstrate that they are getting new contracts beginning immediately after the Christmas break? In which case my understanding goes out of the window.
btw I do not work for them!
btw I do not work for them!