Usdaw sends Santa hit squad to target Scottish Parliament to stop Xmas Day opening

Santa hit squad targets Scottish Parliament

Retail union Usdaw dispatched an elite hit squad of Santa's to lobby MSPs at the Scottish Parliament seeking support for a new bill that will ban stores from opening on Xmas Day and New Year's Day.

The Santas interrupted their usual festive duties dropping into Holyrood this morning to gather a sack full of support for a bill sponsored by Airdrie and Shotts MSP Karen Whitefield, and supported by Glasgow Anniesland MSP Bill Butler, that will make it illegal for stores to open their doors on Xmas Day and New Year's Day.

The bill is expected to be published in January and the Usdaw Santas are confident they can get enough support so that shop workers will have a legal right to be at home celebrating with their families on Xmas Day and New Year's Day by next year.

“We're grateful that the Santas took some time from their busy Christmas schedule to deliver a reminder that shop workers deserve time off on Christmas Day and New Year's Day which was a message that really hit home with MSPs,” says Karen Whitefield. “This bill will make sure that shop workers can spend some quality time with their families on the two most important dates in the Scottish festive calendar.

“This bill is gathering support in parliament because many MSP's recognise that there is no business case for stores opening on those special days and that shop workers want to achieve a proper work/life balance like everyone else in the festive season so we are confident it will become law.”

Usdaw General Secretary John Hannett joined the Santas on their lobby and is confident the bill will give his members some much needed time off over the festive period.

“This is without doubt the busiest time of the year for all retail staff so this sensible bill will give our members some much needed quality time with their families,” John Hannett said. “Everyone else has a relaxed Christmas Day with their families and we believe shop workers deserve the same right so we're grateful to the MSPs for their support.

“If you believe that stores should be closed Christmas Day and New Year's Day in Scotland then write to your local MSP and make sure they support this bill.”

Notes to Editors:

• Usdaw's Santa Hit Squad protested outside Debenhams, Princes Street, Edinburgh this morning before lobbying MSPs outside the public entrance at the Scottish Parliament.

• Contacts for newsdesks: Usdaw's Media Officer, Paul Clarke, can be contacted on 0161 249 2469 or e-mail paul.clarke@usdaw.org.uk.

• Usdaw (the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK's fifth biggest trade union, with over 341,000 members. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemicals and other trades.

• More information and news releases are available at our online Newsroom.

• Journalists can subscribe to receive Usdaw news releases via our online e-news service.

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© 2003 (USDAW) Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers
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