Usdaw members oppose suspension of Sunday trading laws

Usdaw, the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers,

has released survey results that show that more than three quarters of its members oppose the Government’s proposal to suspend Sunday trading laws for eight weeks during the Olympic Games this summer.

The Union surveyed over 20,000 members after the Chancellor George Osborne announced the change in his Budget, and 77 per cent said they were opposed to the Government's proposed suspension of Sunday trading laws with just 12 per cent saying they were in favour.
The survey also revealed that nearly half of the Union’s members already face pressure from their employer to work on Sundays and that 72 per cent felt they would face added pressure if shops were allowed to open longer on a Sunday.

Usdaw has met with Business Minister Mark Prisk to set out why the Union doesn’t support the temporary suspension of Sunday trading laws during the Olympic Games and to reiterate the Union's vehement opposition to the deregulation of Sunday trading in general.
In addition, the union has revealed that it has also written to all MPs to set out why its members oppose the proposed suspension and to ask MPs how they intend to vote on the Sunday Trading (London Olympic and Paralympic Games) Bill when it comes before Parliament again later this month.

Speaking after the meeting with Mr Prisk, Usdaw General Secretary John Hannett said:"Shopworkers have once again made it clear that they oppose any further deregulation of Sunday trading and we have made sure the Government has heard the reasons why. Our members don't want to lose the one day they get to spend some quality time with their families and they quite properly fear the very detrimental impact deregulation would have on their caring responsibilities and their ability to maintain any semblance of work-life balance."

"Our opposition to the Bill has nothing to do with being anti-Olympics. Usdaw supports the Olympic Games and it is a matter of huge pride that the UK has been given the honour of hosting them. We hope that the whole country joins in the celebration of sport and to that end we want as many of our members to be able to enjoy the Games with their families on the most important family day of the week."