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Network Journal 2007 Issue 2 March/April |
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Scots celebrate Christmas victory
Thousands of Usdaw members are celebrating after the Scottish Parliament backed a bill to ban big stores opening their doors on December 25.
The Christmas Day and New Year's Day bill tabled by Labour MSP Karen Whitefield was strongly backed by Usdaw's Scottish members.
MSPs voted to make it illegal for big stores to open on Christmas Day 2007 at Holyrood, the Scottish parliament, in early March.
"Usdaw members are delighted they now have a legal right to enjoy Christmas Day and this is a victory for common sense," said general secretary John Hannett. "Our members told us loud and clear that they needed guaranteed time off with their families at this important time."
However, MSPs also agreed an amendment to the bill that sought to ban trading on New Year's Day which means that this provision will only be enforced if there is evidence to prove that staff are being forced to work on New Year's Day.
"Usdaw's policy is that we remain totally opposed to big stores opening their doors on New Year's Day," added John. There is no evidence whatsoever that if stores don't open on January 1 it will have a negative impact on the Scottish economy. And 95 per cent of our members say it will ruin their traditional Hogmanay and New Year's Day celebrations.
"The Scottish Executive has given us a guarantee that if evidence is produced that retail staff are being forced to work on New Year's Day then they will introduce legislation to stop large stores opening which is a welcome step forward in protecting shopworkers' rights in the incredibly busy festive period.
"But we are making it clear that Usdaw members will be on hand to report employers who coerce them to work on New Year's Day. We would expect that evidence to trigger the legislation which is there to protect hard working shop staff who are only demanding a proper work-life balance."
To find out more about Usdaw's Scottish Christmas Day and New Year's Day Trading campaign visit www.usdaw.org.uk/campaigns/cdnydscotland
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