Tag: festive break

First Minister’s warm words and sympathy won’t give shopworkers the break they deserve on New Year’s Day, says Usdaw

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.”

Usdaw urges retailers to give staff a proper festive break

B&M to close stores on New Year’s Day

Shopworkers’ trade union Usdaw has welcomed an announcement by discount retailer B&M that they will close their stores on New Year’s Day. The company said this is a ‘thank you’ for hard work and commitment during incredibly challenging year and to give staff a ‘well-deserved rest’.

This is particularly important in Scotland where Usdaw is campaigning for all stores to close on 1 January. The union’s New Year’s Day petition will be considered by the Scottish Parliament’s Public Petitions Committee on Wednesday 16 December.

Dave Gill, Usdaw National Officer, said: “When the country faced a crisis unlike any in our lifetime, shopworkers stepped up and kept essential services running. They continued to work and faced increased levels of violence and abuse, as well as being worried about catching Covid-19.

“So we welcome B&M saying ‘thank you’ to their staff with the closure of stores on New Year’s Day. Key workers have done so much this year and we are asking retailers to give their staff the longest possible break over the festive season. We don’t think that is too much to ask for.”