Retail Workers Deserve a Break Like Everyone Else

Thursday, 14 September 2006, 1:33 pm
Press Release: Council of Trade Unions

CTU MEDIA RELEASE
14 September 2006

Retail Workers Deserve a Break Like Everyone Else

“There must be some community days when shop employees can join other workers for a holiday," CTU secretary Carol Beaumont told a select committee considering Easter trading this morning.

“Retail workers across New Zealand already frequently work evenings, at the weekend and on many public holidays.”

“The CTU thinks retail workers deserve a fair go over Easter and time off to spend with their families, and do not support either of the members’ bills on liberalising Easter trading, currently before select committee.”

“There has already been extensive deregulation of shop trading hours in New Zealand, and the CTU opposes any further deregulation.”

“In 1990 most shops could not trade on any Sunday and they were unable to open on nine of the 11 recognised public holidays. Now they can trade on 51 out of 52 Sundays and every public holiday except Good Friday, Christmas Day and the morning of Anzac Day.

“There are only three and a half days a year when shops cannot trade. This limit is not an onerous requirement to place on businesses, and frankly we think retailers need to get over it,” said Carol Beaumont.

ENDS

© Scoop Media

New Zealand Council of Trade Unions

Te Kauae Kaimahi

The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi brings together over 350,000 New Zealand union members in 40 affiliated unions. We are the united voice for working people and their families in New Zealand.

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