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Arena Magazine 2006 Issue 4 Autumn Arena |
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Hours is a stunning campaign victory!
Thanks to Usdaw the Government withdrew proposals to extend Sunday trading hours for large stores.
Save our Sundays Postcard
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Supermarket staff across the UK were celebrating in July after the Government ditched proposals to extend Sunday trading from the current six hour limit. The decision marked a stunning victory for Usdaw, which launched an energetic campaign to counter the bid by Deregulate, a pressure group made up of some of the biggest retailers, to make Sunday a 24-hour shopping day.
The decision follows a widespread consultation exercise by the department for trade and industry, which undertook an independent review of the current legislation, which dates back to the Sunday Trading Act 1994.
"We're delighted the Government has listened to the voice of millions of Britain's retail staff," said general secretary John Hannett. "This decision is a victory for common sense, but it's also a massive triumph for Usdaw members who have come out in their thousands to tell MPs how precious Sunday is to them and their families.
"We have run a highly effective, fact based campaign relying on our members' evidence. Although this is an emotive issue, we didn't go down that road, we let the facts speak for themselves.
"Usdaw's survey of 4,000 retail staff showed that 80 per cent already had to work on Sundays and 95 per cent opposed any extension to the six hour limit because they wanted to spend more time with their families.
"To its credit the Government has listened to the genuine concerns of our members despite pressure from several major retailers.
"Don't forget, Britain has the most deregulated retail sector in Europe with 150 hours shopping a week. Our members will now be reassured their Sundays will not be disrupted any further.
"Usdaw appreciates the support of Britain's shopping public and the 300 plus MPs who signed an Early Day Motion opposing longer hours.
"Thanks to our members, reps and officials we have ensured the Government made the right decision for shopworkers and their families."
The Save Our Sundays campaign was fought on all fronts and was expertly backed up with surveys, stalls, press releases and publicity material, which included the postcard. This encouraged members to register their opposition to more Sunday trading hours and were then sent on to MPs with overwhelmingly positive results.
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