We hope that you will find this site both useful and informative as it is our intention that this site reflect our committment to Association members and the textile industry in general.
We are continually introducing new features that we hope will be useful to our visitors - please return frequently to see what's new!
We are always anxious to hear of ways in which to improve and/or broaden our service and we welcome your comment and suggestions.
Any suggestion can be sent to us using the feedback form that is provided.
Muslim Religious Festivals
The first day of Ramadan begins on 2nd September 2008. The following guidelines are offered to members companies in respect of the requirements for "obligatory prayer" observance by Muslim employees at the following religious festivals:
Id-ul-Fitre - to be celebrated on or around 2 October 2008
Id-ul-Adha - to be celebrated on or around 9 December 2008
Allow a minimum reasonable time to offer the "obligatory prayer". Before the date of the religious festivals, management should issue clear instructions to all employees concerned as to the arrangements, including the time they are expected to start or resume work.
Members should now be aware of their obligations under the Religion or Belief Regulations when responding to requests for time off.
Please contact this office if you require further advice.
Cotton Bedlinen
The European Commission is giving notice that protective measures applied to imported cotton bed linen from India are due to expire on 18th July 2009.
Community producers / manufacturers may lodge a written request for a review, giving evidence on how the expiry of the measures will cause damage.
If any member believes they may be affected, please contact this office and we will pass on any comments to the British Apparel and Textile Confederation, the industry lobbying body.
School Holidays 2008 - 2009
Enclosed with the June 2008 newsletter are the school holidays for the academic year 2008 - 2009.
Members are reminded that these apply across all schools coming under Lancashire County Council authority
The Association will continue to publish the traditional Wakes Weeks holidays and these will be sent out to members in July purely as a guidance.
Since 2006 holidays have been decided at mill level. Where members wish to make changes, they should consult and ballot employees.
ACAS Code of Practice
The Association has received a copy of the consultation document on a revised draft of the
ACAS code of practice on Discipline and Grievance. Revising the code will take account of the changes being made to workplace dispute resolution by the Employment Bill currently before Parliament. In particular, the removal of the statutory dispute resolution procedures introduced in 2004.
If any member company would like to see this document please contact this office.
