Unite the union, which represents thousands of workers in the retail sector, has described reports that the government is planning to relax Sunday trading laws as ‘grossly unfair’ to key workers and ignores the childcare challenges many face.

 

Unite national officer Bev Clarkson said: “Retail workers have played a key frontline role in keeping the UK fed and supplied in the last three months in highly challenging circumstances.

 

“They are exhausted and deserve to spend time with their families. Extending opening hours will simply exacerbate these problems.

 

“The government must understand that many retail workers have to work around childcare and by extending Sunday opening hours it will create additional stress and make it impossible for many workers to juggle work and their caring duties.”

 

ENDS

 

Notes to editors:

 

During the coronavirus crisis Unite is working to keep workers and the public safe, to defend jobs and to protect incomes.

 

For media enquiries ONLY please contact Unite senior communications officer Barckley Sumner on 07802 329235 or 0203 371 2067.

 

Email: [email protected]

 

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