Xmas Eve shift

[cazspence]

Any help on this would be appreciated as we're not really sure where we stand?
My normal shift is 5-9pm but our mail centre is likely to only be open until 6pm, they are expecting us to come in and work 2-6 instead of our normal shift. 4 of us affected by this have toddlers and are unable to get childcare at all to work the earlier hours, we are however able to come in at 5 as we normally would. Now they are saying they will have to see if we can get annual leave for it, 2 of us have no annual leave left and don't see why we should have to use our entitlement if we are ready and able to work, 2 of us have wed as our day off one has tues and the other one is a job share and only works mon and tues. for us that have days off can they force us to take Monday as our day off? As 1 person was counting on the liu days it causes to add to her holidays in march.
Thanks

[whisperstar24]

hi
i work at dorset mail centre.Late shift are working until 6pm on xmas eve as well.Full time staff are coming in at 1000 to do 8hrs.The part time staff are expected to work their 4 hours from 1400-1800 as well .I think this is normal practice. They normally make a little time at despatch time. I would suggest that parents who have child care issues seek their local rep and approach management with these issues.If people have their day off normally when its xmas day/boxing day they are entitled to have this rest day back as a lieu day anyway.They could use this to get the day off on monday .Or they could take an unpaid lieu day on xmas eve

thanks

[silly suffolk]

my understanding is that 24 dec is a normal day . we have an agreement here that the late shift comes in early and works its normal 7.48/8.00 hours. if week commencing 24/12/12 is open for a/l then you might have a chance of picking it if there are vacancies.