Building workers burnt copies of their contract at St George's Hospital on Thursday in protest over not getting holiday pay.

The demonstration, by workers building the hospital's new neuro-sciences wing, was in protest at the refusal of Raven Construction to give them paid holiday, despite European law saying it is their legal right.

Mick Dooley from builders' union UCATT said: "European law has given building workers the right to paid holiday.

"However, Raven seems to be prepared to climb a legal Mount Everest in its attempts to get around the law rather than ensure its workers have holiday pay when they take their holiday."

Mr Dooley said UCATT will take the fight to court if it has to in order to get the contract changed.

Raven refused to comment on the demonstration.

December 14, 2001 11:30