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Shopworkers call time on late opening on Christmas Eve and New Years Eve
27 April 2004
Shopworkers have called for an end to the trend of many retail companies to stay open later and later on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
The work/life balance must come before the pursuit of profits, the annual delegate meeting (ADM) of shopworkers' union Usdaw was told. More than 1,300 delegates heard evidence from a succession of speakers that trading times are getting later every year. It is now not uncommon for shopworkers to be at work until 10pm and beyond on these two special nights.
A proposition was carried at the Usdaw ADM calling for all shops to close by 4pm at the latest on these two days - giving workers time to relax and spend at home with their families.
John Hannett, Usdaw General Secretary Elect, said: "The build-up to Christmas and the sales period that follows in its immediate aftermath is an incredibly busy time for shopworkers. In a retail environment which now trades virtually round the clock and up to seven days a week throughout the year, is it too much to ask that shopworkers should have a handful of days and nights to their own? No business or consumer will suffer if shops closed earlier on these two nights, but such a move would make a huge difference to workers and ensure family-friendly working practices are given the priority they both deserve and need."
Delegates were also reminded that substantial progress is being made on Usdaw campaigns for laws to remove the threat of shopworkers having to work on Christmas Day.
An Usdaw-supported private member's bill now at an advanced stage in the House of Commons will ban big shops (those shops with a floorspace bigger than 280 square metres) in England and Wales from opening on 25th December. This would close a legislative loophole that allows larger shops to open unless Christmas Day falls on a Sunday. In Scotland, Usdaw is supporting legislation forcing big shops to close on both Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
Usdaw's four-day ADM is currently taking place at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool (25th to 28th April 2004). Home Secretary David Blunkett was a guest speaker today (Tuesday).
Notes to Editors:
- Usdaw is the UK's fifth largest union, with over 330,000 members. The majority of Usdaw members work in retail.
- Background information about Usdaw and its Protect Christmas Day campaigns is available at the Santa Watch campaign section.
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