May Day

[#1]

Is it time to remove this pointless Bank Holiday ?

[#2]

Well based on my new post I'd have to agree with you @Champnet as I wouldn't feel so hard done by.

[#3]

We've only had it since 1978, it just takes time to bed in .

There is something to be said for having a bank holiday on St George's day in England.

If we ever leave the EU, perhaps we should have a bank holiday to commemorate it.  I'd prefer 23rd June (referendum day) to 31st October (deadline day, and of course halloween so all the ghosts will be out).

[#4]

@Jonpe Admireable suggestions but maybe less contentious would be to add it to one of the summer bank hols.

[#5]

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@Champnet wrote:

Is it time to remove this pointless Bank Holiday ?

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No thanks, I quite enjoy the day off work.

In most of mainland europe (and India as well at least) they have the 1st May off regardless of what day of the week it falls on, I prefer the first Monday.

[#6]

@Champnet 

Great idea, could replace them with a four day week. 

[#7]

@Minivanman Four day working week ?

Wasn’t that one of the promises made following the discovery of North Sea oil ?

[#8]

I remember the Three day working week back in the seventies due to one of the miners strikes.  Also another period during the seventies when petrol coupons were issued due, ISTR, to the arab oil embargo.

I was fortunate that my working week wasn't affected by either due to my job entailing working on MoD sites at the time.

Edit: typo

[#9]

Our 3 day working week was actually 5 days. 3 with electricity and 2 without which meant starting at sunrise till sunset. Desks by windows had to be ‘fought for’....

I remember during the petrol shortage we had to mix 5 & 2 star petrol In our cars as 3 & 4 star was unavailable. Also because of the shortage the temporary national speed limit of 70mph was introduced....

[#10]

Many have a zero day working week, not always by choice.

Some have a working week that feels like Eight Days a week.

[#11]

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@Champnet wrote:

... Also because of the shortage the temporary national speed limit of 70mph was introduced....

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ISTR it was lower than that, 50 or 60mph?

[#12]

@Champnet 

It was reduced to 50 and remembered well because after keeping to this limit on a long drive from Sheffield to Swansea, by the time I hit the M4 to travel west I was so fed up I decided to put my foot down. Big mistake, as after about five miles I got pulled over by a 'jam sandwich' and eventually fined would you believe it, fifty quid along with an endorsement!

Happy days. 

[#13]

You could say all bank holidays are a bonus for the young worker. Something the retired don't get.

Or that the retired already get paid for that day off.

But as they already get paid for the bank holiday and are in effect working it, shouldn't the retired get double time on bank holidays?

Just to even things up between young and old.