Shopworkers vote overwhelmingly against more Sunday trading hours as DTI launches consultation

More than 90% of shopworkers have rejected any extension to Sunday trading hours as the Department of Trade and Industry launches a consultation on this controversial issue.

The survey of over 500 shopworkers by retail union Usdaw found that 92% of shopworkers reject any relaxation of the present rules that allow big stores to open for six hours on a Sunday.

“This is a very clear signal to Ministers that Britain's 2.7 million retail workers are utterly opposed to any extension of the present six hour limit,” says Usdaw General Secretary John Hannett. “Our members are the people who will have to work the extra hours if the Government decide to change an arrangement that works perfectly well so we want to make sure they listen to their voice.

“This survey backs up our independent survey of Britain's shoppers that found 64% didn't want any more hours to shop on a Sunday. A clear majority of people understand the negative impact on shopworkers and local communities.

“Our survey also found that 56% of our members actually want to work less hours on a Sunday because this is the one day that they have a fighting chance to be at home with their families in what is already the most deregulated retail market in Europe.

“Our members want to spend more time with their families especially if they have children, which many retail staff do. When shoppers already have 150 hours a week to spend their money we think six hours on a Sunday means everyone wins, shoppers get to shop, retailers get to make money and retail workers get to see their families.”

The union will also tell the DTI that a staggering 62% of those surveyed come under pressure to work on Sundays and only 11% have had the confidence to use their legal right to opt out of Sunday working.

Usdaw will also be reminding the DTI consultation that 161 MPs from all parties have backed an Early Day Motion supporting shopworkers and acknowledging the negative impact on local communities if big stores open longer.

“We have been amazed at the level of support in Parliament from all parties and if a change in the present limit is presented to MPs nearly a third of them have pledged to oppose it,” says John Hannett. “They have accepted that it will have a negative impact on our members who, after all, are their constituents and we are delighted they are listening to their legitimate concerns.

“Even the major retailers themselves can't agree if they want longer hours with some saying they do and some saying no.

“So the retailers are confused, the public don't want it and an overwhelmingly number of our members are opposed. So our business case to the DTI, based on solid evidence not emotion, will be that the present arrangements work perfectly well. There is no solid support for a change that will have a negative impact on 2.7 million shopworkers and there will be no obvious benefit to the retail sector.”

Notes to Editors:

• To find out if your local MP has signed EDM 1085 go to http://edmi.parliament.uk/edmi/
• 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 340,000 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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