Shopworkers’ trade union Usdaw remains disappointed with the response of Scotland’s First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, to a question from Mark Griffin MSP (Labour, Central Scotland) about closing large retail stores on New Year’s Day 2022, so that retail workers can spend the day with their loved ones.
The exchange took place in the Scottish Parliament at yesterday’s First Minister’s Questions. The Christmas Day and New Year’s Day Trading (Scotland) Act 2007 barred large stores from opening on Christmas Day and gave the Scottish Government powers to introduce a similar ban on New Year’s Day.
Tracy Gilbert, Usdaw’s Scottish Regional Secretary, said: “Nicola Sturgeon’s warm words and sympathy mean little when the Scottish Government refuses to enact powers given to them to stop the opening of large stores on New Year’s Day. She clearly is not listening to the 98% of Scottish shopworkers who want stores to close.
“Our members are deeply disappointed with the attitude of the Scottish Government. Retail staff have worked throughout the pandemic, faced unprecedented levels of abuse and are now dealing with very busy run up to the festive season.
“The very least that these key workers can expect is that the Scottish Government shows their appreciation for the essential work they’ve done through this appalling pandemic by giving them a proper festive break.”
Speaking after FMQs, Mark Griffin says: “The First Minister claims that an order laid under the existing Act, if brought into force, wouldn’t give all shopworkers the day off on 1 January. However, her government has had 14 years to come up with something better and so far they have failed.
“In fact all the SNP in Government have done is stand back while New Year’s Day trading has grown, forcing more staff into work and away from their families on 1st January.”