Addressing the annual conference in the Winter Gardens, Paddy Lillis – Usdaw General Secretary said: “This is an issue our national officers raise with employers every single year. It's an issue we have drawn public attention to, with our 'Christmas is not working' campaign. Usdaw is fully committed to keep on pushing for change.
 
“The run up to Christmas is the busiest time in retail. It's an extremely important trading period, it provides bumper profits for businesses. But who's delivering those profits? Retail staff, distribution staff, delivery staff, all working tirelessly throughout December.
 
“We know it can be a very stressful time, busy stores, long hours and unacceptable spikes in abuse, as frazzled customers take out their frustrations on shop staff. This all adds up to an exhausted workforce, by the time stores finally close on Christmas Eve. Our members deserve time to rest and recuperate, to spend time with their family and friends, to relax and enjoy the festivities.
 
“Instead, for many it is a case of getting home late on Christmas Eve, spending Christmas Day shattered and getting straight back to work on Boxing Day. That's no way to get the most out of your workforce, or to show that they are valued.
 
“Each year, the union engages employers in discussions over their festive working arrangements and each year, amongst other things, we press on retailers the importance of closing early on Christmas Eve and when we talk about an early close, we mean just that.
 
“We have for many years said that retailers should close by 4pm at the latest. We believe this is a reasonable and fair ask and importantly, it gives our members the ability to get home and prepare for the festivities. Without having to worry whether their bus will still be running, or if the last presents are wrapped, or the first sprouts peeled. Without wondering if they'll get to kiss their children goodnight as they wait for Santa to arrive.”
 
Notes for editors:
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is one of the fastest growing unions in the TUC and the UK's fifth biggest trade union with around 360,000 members. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemical industry and other trades www.usdaw.org.uk

For Usdaw press releases visit: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Twitter @UsdawUnion