Sleep-in-shifts: UNISON ask Supreme Court for leave to appeal
21 August 2018
Further to the decision last month made by the Court of Appeal to not count sleep-in shifts as working time for minimum wage purposes, UNSION the public service union has asked the Supreme Court for leave to appeal against the decision.
UNISON says that the Court of Appeal ruling was a hammer blow for thousands of care workers who work sleep-in shifts and that the court has denied them the hourly minimum pay that is the very least that they deserve.
In the aftermath of that ruling, UNISON made a commitment to those care workers – and everyone affected by this landmark case – that they would keep fighting for what is right. That includes continuing to fight on in the highest court in the land – the Supreme Court.
“…sleep-in shifts are working time and must be paid that way. If you’re not allowed to leave your place of work, are obliged to be away from your home and family, if you’re up and down all night caring for those in real need, then you’re at work and you should be paid for it…”
UNISON’s head of legal services Adam Creme said:
“…there will be a period of time when the Supreme Court considers the application, but it is reasonable to expect the court will agree to hear an appeal. Assuming this is agreed, UNISON will be taking the appeal forward and fighting for our members. We believe the Court of Appeal got this decision completely wrong and will do everything we can to reverse it.”