PFNI hails ‘legal milestone’ on holiday pay

The Police Federation for Northern Ireland says the Supreme Court Judgement on holiday pay is ‘the most significant legal milestone’ into securing what is due to thousands of officers.

PFNI Chair, Liam Kelly, said: “The Federation embarked on this group action, firm in the belief that officers were entitled to holiday pay when they availed of periods of annual leave.

“PSNI disagreed, so we had to instruct lawyers to pursue a legal remedy.The unanimous Supreme Court Judgement says, in effect, we were vindicated in our core legal arguments.

“It might have been more prudent, and certainly more cost-effective, if the PSNI had accepted our position at first instance and laterally the Court of Appeal judgement in Belfast without taking this case to the Supreme Court.

“This is the end of the road for PSNI legally, their appeal has been resoundingly dismissed so the remedy process can now recommence.

“There remains the issue of what officers are actually owed, and that will have to be decided via the Industrial Tribunal. Past underpayments will have to be made good and eligible officers compensated for loss of wages when they have availed of annual leave. That work will undoubtedly take some time to complete, so officers shouldn’t expect to see what they are owed appearing in their payslips anytime soon.

“This is the most significant legal milestone in what was a seven-year campaign. Our men and women should warmly welcome this Judgement. They have been found to have the same entitlements and protections enjoyed by all workers under employment law. At some point in the future, they can look forward to getting what they are rightly owed.”