For immediate release: 1 December 2016

Common sense prevails as Tasman region abandons Easter trading plans

The union for working people in retail is welcoming the Tasman District Council’s decision to protect family time on Easter Sunday.

“I’ve just spoken with some of our local members and they were stoked to learn the council voted to protect their family time on Easter Sunday,” said FIRST Union’s Nelson-Tasman organiser Rachel Boyack.

“Easter Sunday is one of only three and a half days that working people in retail can count on as a day off. I’m delighted the Tasman District Council agreed this is worth protecting, not reducing.”

Under the Shop Trading Hours Amendment Act 2016 local authorities have the power to allow shop trading in all or parts of their district on Easter Sunday. The Tasman District Council was seeking initial feedback alongside the Nelson City Council (NCC) on whether to permit shop trading. NCC is expected to make a decision on whether to proceed to full consultation on shop trading next week.

“We’re calling on Nelson to follow Tasman’s lead. People working in retail, people attending churches and people from other parts of the community have made their voice heard - they support family time over shopping time,” said Boyack.

“We already get 362 days to shop each year.”

ENDS

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