MILLENNIUM WEEKEND AND PUBLIC SECTOR EMPLOYEES

Early day motion 729, tabled 16 June 1999 by Kelvin Hopkins (Labour). Signed by 37 members.

That this House notes that over the millennium weekend there is likely to be significantly increased demand on vital public services; acknowledges that a very large number of public sector employees will therefore need to work ensuring essential services are available for the benefit of the public who will be celebrating the eve of the millennium; recognises that these people include hospital workers such as technicians, ancillary workers and receptionists as well as doctors, nurses and midwives, police civilians and police officers, and all those who will maintain an emergency fire service; further notes that others in the public sector, including those employed within social services such as carers at children's and old people's homes as well as caterers, street cleaners, those responsible for public safety and those on standby in the event of year 2000 problems will also be at work over the millennium weekend; believes that these public sector employees should be respected and properly rewarded for their commitment and not have their public service taken for granted; and urges that public sector employees are treated equitably with those being properly rewarded in the private sector.

Signatures by party: Labour 30, Labour/Co-operative 3, Liberal Democrat 3, Independent 1.