Protect Christmas Day and New Year's Day in Scotland

Congratulations to Usdaw and Karen Whitefield MSP (Labour, Airdrie & Shotts) for their victory at the stage one vote of the Christmas Day and New Year's Day Trading (Scotland) Bill.

In the face of concerted opposition from Liberals, Tories and Nationalists in Committee, Labour MSPs stood firm and delivered an overwhelming endorsement in the Chamber.

Shopworkers have a genuine fear that they could be forced into work on either December 25th or January 1st, which makes this legislation absolutely necessary. Both these days are special and need to be protected.

This is an excellent example of Labour MSPs delivering Conference policy (passed at the Scottish Labour Party Conference in 2005).

However, there are still two more stages to go through in the Parliament before the Bill becomes law. The Tories, Liberals and Nationalists have threatened to strip out New Year's Day by putting in amendments.

So I am delighted that today the Scottish Labour Conference unanimously endorsed an emergency resolution from Usdaw, which calls on Labour MSPs to stand up to such attempts to wreck the Bill.

For more information on Usdaw's Protect Christmas Day & New Year's Day in Scotland Campaign, please visit:

http://www.usdaw.org.uk/campaigns/santa_watch/news/