A LEADING trade union has said it is disappointed with Humza Yousaf’s response to a question in First Minister’s Questions (FMQs) about the closure of large retail shops on New Year’s Day.
Retail trade union Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers), which represents 360,000 members and is the UK’s fifth largest trade union, warned that the First Minister’s “warm words won’t give shopworkers the break they deserve on New Year’s Day”.
The union criticised the SNP for refusing to use their “powers to give shopworkers a proper festive break”.
READ MORE: Landmark trade union agreement signed in popular Scottish venue
During FMQs on Thursday, Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie (below) asked Yousaf about closing large retail shops on New Year’s Day 2024.
Baillie said: “This Parliament passed the Christmas Day and New Year’s Day Trading (Scotland) Act 2007, in which provision was made—this was subject, of course, to consultation—for the Scottish ministers to stop large stores trading on New Year’s Day.
“The First Minister knows, as we all do, that retail staff work very hard, especially at this time of year, when they face longer hours and, indeed, more demanding customers. They deserve a break.
“The Scottish National Party says that it believes in fair work, yet it has rejected calls from the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers to fully implement the bill.
“Why is the First Minister opposed to giving staff in large stores the day off on New Year’s Day?”
Yousaf (below) responded: “We are not. That is a mischaracterisation of our position. We believe in fair work. We are proud of the work that our party has done on fair work principles, which we expect everybody—including the Government—to abide by.
“I will examine what more we can do in relation to the 2007 act. I am more than happy to work with Usdaw, for which we have the utmost respect, and retail staff.
“It is important that Jackie Baillie raises the point that, at this time of year in particular, our retail staff do an incredible job, often in very difficult circumstances.
“I will see what more we can do in relation to the 2007 act, because I am proud that we are the party of fair work principles.”
This comes as an overwhelming majority of Scottish Usdaw members believe shops in Scotland should be closed on New Year’s Day.
READ MORE: Three stories the Tories didn't want you to see before Christmas
In a survey sent to 1473 Scottish members, 98% agreed that shops should shut, 78% said they were not happy to work on New Year’s Day or on January 2, 74% said they spend too little time with their loved ones over the New Year period, and 72% reported their shop being fairly or very quiet on New Year’s Day.
Responding to the comments made by the First Minister, Tracy Gilbert, Usdaw’s regional secretary for Scotland, said: “The First Minister’s warm words about ‘fair work’ and taking another look at this issue is too little too late.
“It won’t mean much to our members while the Scottish Government continually refuses to enact their power to stop the opening of large stores on New Year’s Day.
“They have persistently not listened to the 98% of Scottish shopworkers who want stores to close. Too many will now be going to work on January 1 next year when they’d rather be somewhere else.
“Our members are deeply disappointed with the attitude of the Scottish Government. Retail staff have work every day to keep our communities fed and healthy, face high levels of abuse and are now dealing with a very busy run up to the festive season.
“The very least these key workers deserve is that the Scottish Government shows their appreciation for the essential work they do by giving them a proper festive break.”
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.
However, union representatives said “the SNP Government continues to refuse to use that power to give shopworkers a proper festive break.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel