We use cookies to ensure that we can give you the best user experience. By continuing to use our website you are consenting to their use. Find out more.

What language do you need?

Usdaw is shocked and disappointed that Belfast City Council may reconsider extended Sunday trading

Date: 14 February 2018 A committee of Belfast City Council is set to consider holding another public consultation on the designation of Belfast as a ‘holiday resort’ under the Shops (Sunday Trading &c.) (Northern Ireland) Order 1997.
Shopworkers trade union leader John Hannett has written to all members of the committee, ahead of their meeting on Friday, to urge them not to re-open the issue after city councillors overwhelmingly rejected the proposal as recently as June 2017.
 
John Hannett – Usdaw General Secretary says: “It is surprising and disappointing that this proposal is coming forward again; especially after it was consulted on, considered in significant depth and a clear decision made to reject it.
 
“There has been no change in the public mood, economic situation or impact on our members, their colleagues and communities over the last 9 months. Therefore rerunning the debate and holding a further consultation would simply be a waste of council time and resources.
 
“On behalf of our members, who are absolutely opposed to longer Sunday trading, I have asked councillors on the committee not to approve the proposed consultation. We cannot have a situation where the same question is asked over and over again until they get the answer they want.”
 
Michala Lafferty – Area Organiser at Usdaw’s Belfast Office says: “The current Sunday trading arrangements are a fair compromise, which has worked well for over 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.
 
“Our members 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.
 
“We urge Belfast City Council not to reopen a matter that was decisively settled last year and to respect that decision.”
 
Notes for editors:
 
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK's fifth biggest and the fastest growing trade union with over 430,000 members. Membership has increased by more than 28% over the 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: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Twitter @UsdawUnion
 

Share this page

Free prize draw

Enter our free prize draw to win a £100 Love2Shop Gift Voucher courtesy of Usdaw Protect.

The official website of the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers