Usdaw: FM’s remarks on Ne’er Day shop closures are not enough

It’s time for the Scottish Government to consult, says shop workers union

Retail trade union Usdaw is calling on the Scottish Government to reverse its opposition to consulting on closing large stores on 1 January, after the First Minister has twice expressed sympathy for shopworkers having a break on New Year’s Day.

The Scottish Parliament Petitions Committee will be debating the Usdaw call tomorrow (Wednesday 16 December).

In January the First Minister committed to “looking very closely at the Usdaw campaign” and conceded that shopworkers deserve a festive break. Last week Nicola Sturgeon responded in First Minister’s Questions claiming to have “not yet had the opportunity to look at the specific request”, but supermarket workers “deserve rest and recuperation”.

Yet, only a few weeks ago the Minister for Business, Fair Work and Skills responded to the petitions committee by restating the Government’s opposition to holding a consultation, as required under the Christmas Day and New Year’s Day Trading (Scotland) Act 2007.

Stewart Forrest, Usdaw’s Scottish Divisional Officer, said: “The Scottish Government is guilty of mixed messages on this issue. I hope it isn’t the case that Nicola Sturgeon says one thing to get her through First Minister’s Questions, while her ministers are saying the opposite behind the scenes.

“The very least that key workers in retail can expect is that the Scottish Government shows their appreciation for the essential work they’ve done through this appalling pandemic by being straight with them.

“Given what the First Minister has said to the Parliament, I am stunned that the Government continues their thirteen year opposition to even holding a consultation. If ever there is a year that their position should be reversed it’s this year.

“Surely it is not too much to ask to hold a consultation on closing large stores on New Year’s Day, so that shopworkers can get a proper break over the festive period.

“Hogmanay and New Year is a special holiday, but this is not reflected in the experience of many retail workers, with three-quarters saying they spend too little time with friends and family. On behalf of Scotland’s retail workers, we are urging the Scottish Government to open that consultation and for MSPs to listen to shopworkers’ concerns about their work and life balance.

“After everything Scottish shop workers have been through this year, as key workers on the frontline of delivering essential services, they deserve a decent break over New Year.”

What shopworkers say:

• “You’re tired from working and don’t really relax or enjoy the limited time you get with the kids. Then you start all over again working New Year’s Day too!!!”
• “As a store manager I have had to work Christmas and New Year. A lot of hard work goes into the weeks leading up. By Christmas Day you are exhausted and then back to work on Boxing Day. This year I also have to work New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day and on the second.”
• “I am not happy working till 1930 on both Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. By 4pm our store was fairly empty.”
• “Finishing times on Christmas Eve and Hogmanay are creeping up later, which has a severe impact on family life for retail workers.”