Retail trade union Usdaw has at last secured a commitment from the Scottish Government to consult on large stores closing on New Year’s Day.
The union submitted a petition to the Scottish Parliament and spent a year providing evidence to convince the Public Petitions Committee to press Ministers to make progress on a consultation.
Jamie Hepburn MSP (Minister for Business, Fair Work and Skills) wrote to Usdaw yesterday (Thursday) confirming that the Scottish Government will now conduct the necessary consultation, as set out in the Christmas Day and New Year’s Day Trading (Scotland) Act 2007. However no timetable has yet been set for the consultation.
Stewart Forrest – Usdaw’s Scottish Divisional Officer says: “Confirmation that a consultation on large stores closing on New Year’s Day will now take place, after an unnecessary 14 year delay, is a step forward in our campaign to get a proper break for shopworkers over the festive period.
“We are disappointed that the Minister has not set out a timetable for the consultation and we will continue to press for further progress.
“As key workers delivering the essential service of keeping the nation fed, shopworkers deserve a decent break over the festive period. They have worked long hours in difficult circumstances throughout the pandemic, faced unprecedented levels of abuse and worried every working day about catching the virus and taking it home to their families.
“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 throughout this appalling pandemic by progressing the call for a proper festive break.
“However this is not just a campaign for the pandemic, our members have for many years demanded a proper break after the extremely busy and stressful shopping period in the run-up to Christmas. 98% say that large stores should be closed and only 4% are happy to work on New Year’s Day or 2 January. 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 the consultation as soon as possible, so that the necessary legislative processes can be completed in time for 1 January 2022.”