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Unite urges government to keep its promise on Sunday trading over Christmas

Unite urges government to keep its promise on Sunday trading over Christmas

Unite, Britain's biggest union, has urged the government not to break its promise and keep Sunday special following news (see notes to editors) that the CEOs of Asda and Morrisons have written to business minister Michael Fallon to call for the extension of Sunday trading hours this Christmas.

Responding to the news, Unite national officer Jennie Formby, said:

"Ordinary families are already struggling to afford the weekly shop. It's ridiculous to think that extending Sunday trading will magically put extra money in people's pockets this Christmas.

"Unite has been given specific assurances that the temporary suspension of the restrictions on Sunday trading hours would only operate for the duration of the Olympics. Extending Sunday trading will be an attack on the family life of tens of thousands of workers. We believe Sunday should stay special. If the government reneges on this commitment it will be yet another broken promise.

"There's no evidence that extending Sunday trading will boost growth and even Justin King, CEO of Sainsbury’s, and the Association of Convenience Stores agree that any proposal to make a permanent change would be extremely damaging both to business and to our communities."

ENDS

Contact: Ciaran Naidoo on 07768 931 315

Notes to editors

Unite represents up to 20,000 workers at Sainsbury's.

Click here to see the story from The Grocer magazine http://www.thegrocer.co.uk/companies/supermarkets/supermarket-bosses-call-for-extension-to-sunday-trading-hours-at-christmas/234425.article?utm_medium=email&utm_source=groceronline%40wrbm.com&utm_campaign=1786934_Daily+22%2f11%2f12&dm_i=131K,12AT2,87BNJA,39YWQ,1

Unite is Britain and Ireland’s largest trade union with 1.5 million members working across all sectors of the economy. The general secretary is Len McCluskey.