Defend holidays

The STUC backed Karen Whitfield MSP's bill which would ban large stores from opening on Christmas and New Year's Day.

These were important national collective holidays, said UCATT's motion. Ensuring workers could take them off would not just benefit retail staff, it would avoid many more essential workers being forced to work these holidays.

Countering any argument that there may be a cultural conflict, Ravi Nathan (STUC Black Members and UNISON) said, "Scotland is a diverse and multicultural nation of many different faiths and Christmas and New Year's Day are for many workers a relaxing period to spend with their families and children.... irrespective of their religious faiths" .

"If I tell you I am a Hindu you will realise Christmas day is therefore not special to me. But I enjoy having the day off to spend with my grown sons who work away from home", added Ravi.

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