ORANGE retail workers are concerned this will be the last Christmas they spend with their families if the state government votes to introduce Boxing Day trading next year.
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The debate for Boxing Day trading has been taking place for about 10 years, but the retail union, the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association is concerned the vote is getting closer to being passed.
The union’s Orange delegate Tracey Morton said she had spoken to several Orange retailers and felt the decision would be made next year.
“There’s a lot of concern (among employees), especially the ones in the mall, (they) are the ones that are going to be affected,” she said.
“My main concern is there’s no family time if you’ve got to work Boxing Day. When are you going to have time to spend time with family?
“If people have to travel, how are they going to travel if they have to work Christmas Eve and have to be back at work on Boxing Day?”
The retailers fears came after the NSW Government debated on November 19 the merit of the four and a half restricted trading days each year including Boxing Day and Easter Sunday.
“The workers of Orange deserve to be able to spend time with the friends and families on important days like Boxing Day and Easter Sunday, retail worker serve the community 360 and a half days a year. They deserve a break,” Mrs Morton said.
tanya.marschke@fairfaxmedia.com.au
