Christmas shopping disruptions likely

Press, 20 November 1987, Page 9

Christmas shopping disruptions likely

Serious disruptions to Christmas shopping were a real possibility, said the union advocate for the retail (non-food) award, Mr Mike Hanifin, last evening. Informal negotiations between the union and shop employers yesterday failed to reach an agreement, he said. Some of the city’s shops were closed on Monday and Tuesday after shop employees attending a stop-work meeting went on a 48-hour strike. Mr Hanifin said the employers refused to move from their position of demanding an extra 12 hours of trading before they would grant a 7 per cent wage rise. “It is quite obvious that retailers remain unconvinced by the national

protest action mounted by their employees against these gun-at-the-head tactics,” he said.

“What we have seen from the employers is an openly contemptuous attitude to the people in their employment,” he said. “They have simply refused to address any of the issues raised by the union.” Mr Hanifin said the union had formally offered to accept three hours of extra trading but it had indicated a willingness to accept six in return for negotiations on some long-term issues. He said he was astounded by the employers’ refusal to negotiate further. “The general public now stands to be seriously inconvenienced by the unwillingness of retailers

to discuss matters that could lead to real.flexibility of trading hours. The employers’ hard-line attitude is placing in jeopardy the very thing they are seeking.” The employers’ advocate, Mr Neil McPhail, said no individual employee would be forced to work more hours than they were now.

“The union is not showing a willingness to address the hours issues,” he said. The industry needed more flexible hours in order to compete for the disposable dollar.

“Restaurants and hotels are open all sorts of hours,” he said.

Mr McPhail said he could see the award breaking up, especially if industrial action by the union went ahead.