By Lucy Ashton
Dame Jackie Baillie has blasted the First Minister over his lack of support for hard-pressed retail workers.
The Dumbarton MSP quizzed First Minister, Humza Yousaf, over whether he would direct large retail stores to close on New Year’s Day, offering shopworkers the break they deserve.
Many large retail stores now opt to open on New Year’s Day – Scotland’s traditional festive holiday.
However, Mr Yousaf’s response during the recent First Minister’s Questions in the Holyrood chamber, left both Jackie and retail workers’ union, Usdaw, disappointed.
The Labour MSP recognised the efforts of retail workers all year round, but particularly over the busy festive seasons, telling the First Minister: “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.
First Minister Humza Yousaf and Dame Jackie Baillie, Labour’s deputy leader.
“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.”
She asked: “Why is the First Minister opposed to giving staff in large stores the day off on New Year’s day?”
Mr Yousaf issued a denial, calling the SNP the “party of fair work principles”.
He responded during the exchange: “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.”
But the lukewarm response was dismissed by Ms Baillie, who said: “The SNP has had plenty of time to consider this but has decided instead not to force retailers to recognise the efforts of workers and offer them a proper break.
“His stance is disappointing.”
Her sentiments were echoed by Tracy Gilbert, Usdaw’s Regional Secretary for Scotland, who added: “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 1 January 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.”