Supermarket acting like Scrooge – union

Supermarket giant Sainsbury’s have been accused of ‘acting like Scrooge’ by insisting that staff come in on Boxing Day after working extended opening hours in the run to up to Christmas.

The firm has agreed to reduced 10am to 5pm opening hours on Boxing Day but its supermarkets will be open to customers from 6am until midnight between Monday December 21 and Wednesday December 23.

Trade union Unite said Sainsbury’s, which expects to bring in before tax profits of £270 min 2020, of putting ‘wealth above the wellbeing of its workforce’ ad called on the firm to give its staff, who have worked in difficult conditions throughout the pandemic, Boxing Day to rest and spend time with their families after working extra hours in the days before Christmas.

Unite also demanded that Sainsbury’s ensure measures are in place for staff to be able to get safely home after midnight.

Unite national officer Bev Clarkson: “In A Christmas Carol, Scrooge begrudgingly gives Bob Cratchit Christmas Day off demands he be in on Boxing Day. By refusing to give their workforce a well-earned break, Sainsbury’s are acting like Scrooge.

She added: “Sainsbury’s should embrace the Christmas spirit byre co gn ising their staff have worked hard throughout the pandemic, on top of working extra hours over the festive period, and give them Boxing Day off.

"It has made lots of money this year and should put in place measures to ensure staff working until after midnight in the run up to Christmas can get home safely.”