For immediate release

Reacting to the decision of the Scottish Executive to support the proposed establishment of a public holiday to mark St Andrews Day, Scottish TUC Deputy General Secretary, Grahame Smith said:

"This is obviously a welcome step in the right direction as we believe creating a holiday around St Andrews Day will have a positive economic impact. Combined with plans at Westminster to ensure that all bank holidays are additional to the 20 days statutory holidays workers are entitled to this measure will bring UK workers further in to line with our European colleagues."

"We would prefer to have this holiday as an additional day and we will be encouraging our affiliates to negotiate suitable arrangements which improve work/life balance for Scottish workers"

ENDS

For further information contact John Park 0141 337 8100