Easter for families and communities, not commerce

Shop workers, community groups and churches will be among those opposing new attempts to open shops at Easter, the union for retail workers says.

Jacqui Dean’s members bill to liberalise Easter trading in the Waitaki electorate was drawn from the ballot at Parliament today.

“Shops are generally open 361 and half days a year. Most shop workers could be required to work on any of these days,” said Robert Reid, General Secretary of the National Distribution Union.

“Easter is one of the few guaranteed times that retail workers can have off, to take part in family, community and religious activities at this time.”

“Despite Jacqui Dean saying that her bill is about choice and that shops aren’t being forced to open, our retail members in retail say this is not a real choice in practise. Once the competitor down the road opens, so too will their shop open, and they will be required to work.”

“The country doesn’t need Easter Trading, and neither do we see a need for Waitaki exceptionalism,” Robert Reid said.

ENDS

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