Today’s meeting of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee agreed to consult on a proposal to designate the entire Belfast City Council area, or specific parts of the area, as a ‘holiday resort’. The effect of this designation would be to extend the Sunday trading hours for large shops on up to 18 Sundays, other than Easter Sunday, between 1 March and 30 September.
Responding to the decision, Michala Lafferty – Usdaw Area Organiser says: “We are very disappointed that the city council has chosen to re-open the question of Sunday trading. Northern Ireland has a settled Sunday trading regime that allows most large shops to open 1pm to 6pm.
“The current Sunday trading arrangements are a fair compromise, which has worked well for nearly 20 years, and gives everyone a little bit of what they want. Retailers can trade, customers can shop, staff can work; whilst Sunday remains a special day, different to other days, and shopworkers can spend some time with their family.
“Our members in large stores remain absolutely opposed to extended Sunday trading. The number one reason for their opposition is the detrimental effect this would have on their family life. They cite real concerns about the additional pressure they would come under to work on Sundays if shops are open longer.
“Many shopworkers, particularly parents, tell us how important Sunday is to them and their family. Often it is the one day of the week when everyone can sit down together for a meal, with many saying they needed the time on Sunday to help their children prepare for the school week. We will vigorously campaign against extended Sunday opening.”
Notes for Editors:
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK's fourth biggest and the fastest growing trade union with over 430,000 members. Membership has increased by more than 17% in the last five years and by nearly a third in the last decade. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the Union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemicals and other trades.
For Usdaw press releases visit: www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Twitter @UsdawUnion