Store is told they are ‘like Scrooge’

Sainsbury’s urged not to make staff work Boxing Day

SUPERMARKET giant Sainsbury’s has been accused of ‘acting like scrooge’ by making staff work on Boxing Day.

Union bosses have hit-out at the company’s plans to open their stores – including in Leek – between 10am and 5pm on December 26 – after extending its opening hours in the run-up to Christmas.

Sainsbury’s has agreed to reduce its opening hours on Boxing Day, but supermarkets will be open from 6am to midnight from Monday, December 21 to Wednesday, December 23.

Now representatives at Unite have accused the company of ‘putting wealth before the wellbeing of its workforce.’

The union is calling on the supermarket to close on Boxing Day so staff can spend time with their families at Christmas after working in ‘difficult conditions throughout the pandemic.’

Unite also demanded that Sainsbury’s – which has stores in Leek, above , and Biddulph – ensure measures are in place for staff to be able to get safely home after midnight when public transport is much more difficult to access.

Unite national officer Bev Clarkson said: “By refusing to give their workforce

– many of whom will have worked until late Christmas Eve – a well-earned break on Boxing Day, Sainsbury’s are acting like Scrooge.

“Putting wealth before the wellbeing of its workforce certainly doesn’t chime with Sainsbury’s warm-hearted Christmas ads currently running on TV.”

Ms Clarkson added: “Sainsbury’s should embrace the Christmas spirit by recognising their staff have worked hard throughout the pandemic, on top of working extra hours over the festive period, and give them Boxing Day off.

“Scrooge learns that some things are more important than the pursuit of riches; Sainsbury’s, who have made lots of money this year, should follow suit and give staff a well-earned break with their families.

“They should also put in place measures to ensure staff working until after midnight in the run up to Christmas can get home safely.”

But the supermarket insists that it has done everything it can to accommodate staff who do not want to work Boxing Day.

A Sainsbury’s spokesperson said: “Our colleagues do a fantastic job and have worked incredibly hard this year.

“We are doing everything we can to give our colleagues Boxing Day off where they have asked for it and we will be reducing our opening hours for Boxing Day from 10am to 5pm for all our Sainsbury’s supermarkets and Argos stores.

“This will allow colleagues to spend a little more time with their families, which we know is important to them, while enabling our customers to shop for the items they may need during the festive period.”