THE NIGHT SHIFT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
DOZENS of Tesco workers have been told to stay in work until 10pm on Christmas Eve – despite their stores closing four hours earlier.
Workers at Tesco Extra stores in Longton and Stafford had thought they would knock off for Christmas just after 6pm on December 24.
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FESTIVE FURY: Staff are angry at having to work until 10pm on Christmas Eve at Tesco Extra in Longton.
But they have been told to stay until 10pm, or face disciplinary action for breaching their contracts.
Now talks are taking place between Tesco and shopworkers' union Usdaw to try to release the workers earlier.
Tesco officials are regarding Christmas Eve as a normal working day and say the staff are needed to stock the shelves ready for it to reopen on Boxing Day.
Smaller Tesco stores in Crewe, Kidsgrove, Meir Park, Trent Vale, Hanley and Congleton also shut at 6pm, but do not reopen until December 27, so staff can leave straight away.
One Tesco Extra worker said: "Because we are open on Boxing Day, we've got to have all the staff in to get ready for Boxing Day. It's caused uproar in the store.
"People have said they are not happy with it and they are not going to work until 10pm, but we've been told we've got to do this.
"Staff want to spend time with their families on Christmas Eve."
About 180 of the 1,200 staff working at the Longton and Stafford stores are affected by the rule.
Another worker said: "The staff are understandably not happy. No-one wants to be working until 10pm on Christmas Eve."
Usdaw today urged Tesco to rethink its arrangements.
National officer Pauline Foulkes said: "It has been common for many stores to allow staff to come in earlier on Christmas Eve, so they can finish earlier.
"Usdaw is urging Tesco to maintain such arrangements and look at other ways of staffing stores, so shopworkers can also enjoy time off with their family and friends at this time of year."
A Tesco official said the issue had arisen because the two stores were opening on Boxing Day for the first time.
He said: "It's important to note working on Christmas Eve isn't overtime. They are working their contracted hours.
"Every single member of staff will have their own circumstances and they can speak to their store manager.
"No extra money will be paid as Christmas Eve is not a bank holiday."
Staff at Asda, Morrisons and Sainsbury's stores in North Staffordshire and South Cheshire have been told they can leave soon after their stores close between 5pm and 6pm on Christmas Eve.
Co-op stores close at 8pm and staff can finish straight after.
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by Unlikely, Nottingham
Sunday, December 20 2009, 10:55PM
“Its alright Tesco telling their staff that they are only working their contracted hours but what they haven't taken into account is the fact public transport aren't doin their regular timetables.Not that tesco are going to provide ways for their staff to get home all they're bothered about is that the shelves are full ready for all the sad customers that simply MUST go shopping on boxing day! Maybe these customers should offer to come out at 10 on Xmas eve night and give lifts home to the staff who will have to work to this time! Maybe they can offer to pick them up too and explain to the staff's kids why their mum/dad won't be home till after they've gone to bed too!”
by N/A, Stafford
Friday, December 11 2009, 11:21AM
“"the issue had arisen because the two stores were opening on Boxing Day for the first time". Rubbish! The Tesco in Stafford was open on Boxing day last year and this problem didn't occur then.
This is just pure greed. I wonder whether the directors who made this decision will be in a store late on Christmas Eve, helping their staff. I very much doubt it, though, they'll probably leave before the stores even close, if they visit one at all.”
by N/A, Stoke
Thursday, December 10 2009, 12:43PM
“Many people have to work up to and on christmas, as i am asked to work christmas eve, simply book the time off if you do not wish to work, and if your argument was that you were going out somewhere nice then going out after 10 isnt that late.”
by Dave, Crewe
Thursday, December 10 2009, 11:48AM
“I'm sorry but this is nothing new, it isn't like days of old where nothing is open on or around Christmas, certain shops ARE open on Christmas day even & Tesco probably will eventually.
I am lucky enough to work at a place which has closed it's doors for a good few days, this is being booked off as our holidays as we are contracted to them. If the company decided I was working Christmas eve boxing day etc, I would have to turn up, & I would. I would not go to a newspaper , why is this ?
It would be nice to have just one time a year where everybody was off ( as bank holidays DO NOT work like that anymore ) but at the end of the day, for places to make a profit now a days they have to make sacrifices as they say, every little helps ( even working them extra three hours :P )
Just blame the people who go shopping on Christmas eve in the evening. I for one will be going at some rediculous time ( early ) just to miss some of the shoppers, no doubt again it will be like the middle of the day.”
by Helen, Longton
Wednesday, December 09 2009, 10:53PM
“Unfortunatly Christmas day falls on a Friday and if you happen to be contracted to work on a friday shift at tesco then you have to book the day off, even though the store is CLOSED!
I know i am very lucky to have this job but i do feel this is silly that i have to waste a holiday like this!”