The exchange took place in the Scottish Parliament at today’s First Minister’s Questions. The Christmas Day and New Year's Day Trading (Scotland) Act 2007 barred large stores from opening on Christmas Day and gave the Scottish Government powers to introduce a similar ban on New Year’s Day. However the SNP Government continues to refuse to use that power to give shopworkers a proper festive break.
Tracy Gilbert – Usdaw’s Regional Secretary for Scotland says: “The First Minister’s warm words about ‘fair work’ and taking another look at this issue is too little too late. It won’t mean much to our members while the Scottish Government continually refuses to enact their power to stop the opening of large stores on New Year’s Day. They have persistently not listened to the 98% of Scottish shopworkers who want stores to close. Too many will now being going to work on 1 January next year when they’d rather be somewhere else.
“Our members are deeply disappointed with the attitude of the Scottish Government. Retail staff have work every day to keep our communities fed and healthy, face high levels of abuse and are now dealing with a very busy run up to the festive season. The very least these key workers deserve is that the Scottish Government shows their appreciation for the essential work they do by giving them a proper festive break.”
Notes for editors:
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK's fifth biggest trade union with around 360,000 members. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemical industry and other trades www.usdaw.org.uk
Usdaw’s New Year's Day Survey of 1,473 Scottish members found:
- 98% agree that stores in Scotland should close on New Year's Day.
- 79% are not happy to work on New Year's Day or 2 January.
- 74% said they spend too little time with their loved ones over New Year.
- 72% reported their store being fairly or very quiet on New Year's Day.
Christmas Day and New Year's Day Trading (Scotland) Act 2007: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2007/13/contents
Scottish Government consultation: New Year’s Day trading for large retailers: https://consult.gov.scot/economic-development/new-year-s-day-trading-for-largeretailers/
For Usdaw press releases visit: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Twitter @UsdawUnion