As a Local Committee, we have been asked by the National Executive, to remind staff that we should, whenever possible, maintain a Business As Usual approach.

One area where we see future negative impacts from not doing this, is the deferment of Annual leave.

Currently we are well staffed in our area and under no pressure to cover positions. We have no staff on NTC courses, very little sick or discretionary leave being taken and any vacancies are easily covered with overtime from within our station bubbles. For this reason we see no operational need at this time for the deferment of Annual leave.

We foresee major problems maintaining M.S.S. if multiple staff members need to take Annual Leave Entitlements when we emerge from these unusual circumstances, while at the same time, deferred training ramps up and the demand for discretionary leave increases.

We acknowledge managements right to manage staff, including the taking and changing of Annual Leave, however our advice to them is that, as far as possible, keep the annual leave cycles and the relievers working as usual.

We understand some staff may prefer to take their annual leave at a later stage but we feel that by doing so, we will be creating more problems in the future.

Remember your Annual Leave is a contractual obligation for a reason.