Patrick Crossan condemns proposal by Belfast City Council to extend Sunday opening hours 

Belfast City Council discussed a proposal by the Alliance Party to allow shops to open from 10:00 on Sunday for a six-week pilot, beginning in August.

The Trade Union Usdaw says extended trading would interfere with his members' family time An Usdaw spokesman told the BBC, "for the past 10 years we've been campaigning to not extend the Sunday trading hours in the Belfast area," .

Workers Party Lagan Valley rep, Patrick Crossan described the move as unfair on staff, and as a further attack on the work life balance of low paid retail workers who already work during five hours allowed on Sundays.

Those staff who would be required to work longer hours would have additional childcare costs which are already astronomical if they can access the extra hours needed the cost would be prohibitive.

He said that retail workers kept the shops and the retail economy open during the pandemic at great risks to them and their families and deserved better treatment from their public representatives.

He stated: "The proposal states that shops need to open on Sunday mornings to accommodate the cruise ships, these same ships dock in Spain, Portugal, and other continental ports where most shops stay closed to accommodate family time and other work life balance activities.

"These proposals would also affect small business owners in the retail sector who are already under pressure from big multinational corporations."

Mr Crossan asked if anyone in the council asked or considered how this would impact on public transport. Would there be an adequate service to bring staff to and from their workplaces? How much did they consider this would impact on family life, social and sporting activities and other social interactions?

He said: "The workers Party fully support the Trade Unions and Retail NI who have strongly opposed this move, with the trade unions saying this is a further attack on low paid workers.

"This group of workers have served our economy and communities courageously in the past, during the pandemic, the bombings, and the disruption to normal life. It is now time for our elected representatives to put the interests of these workers first."

Those staff who would be required to work longer hours would have additional childcare costs which are already astronomical if they can access the extra hours needed the cost would be prohibitive. He continued retail workers kept the shops and the retail economy open during the pandemic at great risks to them and their families, they deserve better treatment from their public representatives.”