Describing the decision to pay
double-time on New Year's Day as 'a gesture of goodwill between Ladbrokes and their staff', Fabricius added: 'Staff suggested that it would be a good incentive given that New Year's Eve falls on a Friday night this year and we concurred.
London Midland cancelled all trains except those on the Birmingham to Liverpool line last Sunday because staff refused to volunteer to work in a row over
double-time pay.
We compete directly with pubs, cinemas, bowling alleys, bingo clubs etc, none of whom pay their staff
double-time for Sundays.
Now, according to the Birmingham train operator, the rail transport workers' union Aslef has agreed to an offer of
double-time payments for work on holidays, with a guaranteed minimum payment of pounds 220 for its senior conductors.
