A worker rights network has launched a campaign to pressure supermarket bosses into shutting stores on Boxing Day.
Organise is urging its members to contact chief executives to ask them to give staff a day off.
It has also set up a petition addressed to Boris Johnson, which has drawn over 50,000 signatures.
It reads: “Supermarket staff are working flat out though the pandemic.
READ MORE: M&S to close on Boxing Day as ‘thank you’ to staff
“Please close all supermarkets on Christmas day and Boxing day in recognition of the hard work supermarket staff have achieved throughout the pandemic.”
The campaign was born from an Organise survey, which showed 98 per cent of over 1000 respondents believed all retailers should be able to take Boxing Day off.
Organise members have been asked to send an email template to Tesco’s Ken Murphy, Lidl’s Christian Härtnagel, and the Co-op’s Steve Murrells.
Asda’s co-owner Zuber Issa and senior vice president Derek Lawlor were also included on the email.
The email reads: “As a proud customer, I hope you close your supermarkets on Boxing Day. Staff have worked so hard this year and deserve two days with their family.
“Morrisons, Marks & Spencer and Waitrose have all responded and are closing on Boxing Day to give staff the day off – please will you do the same?”
Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Morrisons, Aldi, and Marks & Spencer have all agreed to keep their doors closed on 26 December.
Speaking to The Grocer, a Co-op spokesperson said stores would close early on Christmas Eve and open with “reduced hours” on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
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2 Comments. Leave new
They may close the stores but the staff don’t get paid. Some need the wage.
They just work another day in the week. 💁🏽♀️