Possible refunds for holiday camp staff

Staff working for holiday camps such as Butlins could be refunded pay after they were charged for electricity in their accommodation.

The GMB union said that around 20,000 employees, working for Butlins, Haven Holidays and British Holiday in 50 camps across the UK might be eligible for refunds.

The decision follows an Employment Appeals Tribunal, in a case brought by the National Minimum Wage Compliance Unit, that the camps acted unlawfully in charging their minimum wage staff for the cost of heat and light in their accommodation as part of their pay package.

A charge of £3 per week had been levied on staff that lived in the chalets and caravans on 50 UK sites during the 2004 and 2005 seasons.

The GMB said that the deduction amounted to £156 per year for full-time workers and up to £90 per year for seasonal workers. The union estimates that Butlins would need to refund around £1 million to the employees.

The union warned that many of these workers would have been students who no longer worked for the company. The union is now setting up a system for workers to contact them so that they can claim the money owed to them.

Tim Roache, GMB Senior Organiser, said: "GMB, on behalf of our members, wish to pay tribute to the hard work of the National Minimum Wage Compliance Unit in helping GMB members to get this important test case on deductions from pay resolved.

"I urge Butlins to accept the test case ruling that charging for power is unlawful. GMB urge them to stop the deductions immediately and pay refunds to our members currently employed by the company.

"We also want to work with the company to help GMB to contact the 20,000 people who are owed refunds."

(KMcA)