Shut up shop on Boxing Day and January 1 to give retail workers a break – union

Union leaders are calling on store bosses to shut up shop on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, to give “shattered” retail workers a “decent break”.

Bosses at the trade union Usdaw made the plea after a survey of its members in Scotland found 98% support stores being shut on December 26 and January 1.

Retailers however insisted that banning stores from trading on the two days would be both “illiberal and short-sighted”, with industry body the Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC) saying where there is demand from customers, firms should be able to choose whether they open their doors.

Tony Doonan of Usdaw said too many shop staff are “shattered” after working throughout December.

Usdaw’s regional secretary for Scotland added: “Hogmanay and new year is a special holiday in Scotland, but this is not reflected in the experience of many retail workers.

“Too many do not get a decent break over the Christmas and new year period. After working so hard to ensure we can all get ready to celebrate, they can arrive home shattered and have to spend time on Christmas Day and Hogmanay getting ready for work the next day.

“This is why 98% of retail workers want shops to shut on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.”

While the union leader said large stores are closed on Christmas Day, “the rest of the holiday season can see extended trading days for many”.

As a result, Mr Doonan said that “by the time retail workers get to the festivities, they will have been through a very busy run-up to Christmas”.

A total of 1,009 shop workers across Scotland took part in a survey on whether they should be given a “well earned rest” on December 26 and January 1.

SRC director David Lonsdale said: “Where there is demand from customers and availability of staff, then shops – like other sectors of the economy – ought to be free to choose to open on Boxing Day or Ne’er Day if they so wish.

“Banning trading permanently is illiberal and short-sighted, more so as customers can already shop online whenever they choose.

“We’re at a loss to understand why shops are being singled out and at risk of being shackled with these curbs whilst other consumer-facing sectors such as restaurants, pubs, nightclubs, cinemas, hotels, and indeed public services aren’t.

“Implementing a permanent prohibition on trading also flies in the face of the strenuous efforts that have made over recent years to promote Scotland as a visitor destination at new year.”