Public holidays under attack – again!

The NSW Government is seeking yet another change to public holiday laws, including bank holiday, which will lead to the further extension of trading hours.

The Government is seeking to remove the current “public interest test” and union right of appeal against financial institutions seeking to open their doors on the NSW August Bank Holiday. Another change proposed is the expansion of retail trading into special public holidays, such as Easter and the Christmas / Boxing Day periods.

This means more time at work and less with your family when NSW shops are already open 99% of the year.

There are just four and a half restricted trading days left when some retailers are required to remain closed: Christmas Day, Boxing Day, Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Anzac Day (half day).

These days are special.

A community based campaign involving Unions and groups such as the Uniting and Anglican churches has been established to oppose these changes and recover some measure of balance to the lives of frontline retail and financial services workers.

Visit www.takethetime.org.au to become involved.
Follow the links to email your local MP outlining your concerns and sign the petition calling on the NSW Parliament to respect our last remaining special days.