In our world, Christianity is under more and more attacks, but our faith and togetherness are strengthened by Christmas and Christmas Eve. December 24 provides an opportunity for all members of our families to sit down at the same table. In love, our shared hopes can be supported.
For years, the trade workers have been demanding that the employers of the chain stores honor the workers by declaring December 24th a public holiday as a gesture. In times of war and inflation, this day serves peace in the workplace, and companies can send a message of solidarity to employees and their family members.
The ice is broken!
The LIDL grocery chain and the Egyenlő.hu trade union, with the support of CÖF-CÖKA, were the first in the food trade to agree on December 24 being a public holiday. Hungary's largest food distribution chain keeps its 200 stores closed on Christmas Eve. Respect to the first!
Preliminary polls reported the solidarity of two-thirds of customers.
Store chains that choose to close can make up for lost traffic with extended opening hours before the holidays. Shoppers can plan in advance instead of rushing on the last day, so that they can calmly purchase their food needs.
According to CÖF-CÖKA, LIDL and the Egyenlő.hu trade union understood that the closure on December 24, after sufficient professional preparation, would not cause irreplaceable income for the companies. At the same time
in the future, the gesture invested in human resources may bring a return.
Store chains can increase their results while maintaining their independence by advancing the common interests of the caring state, company-owning employers, employees and their families.
Some parties consider the closure and opening hours on Christmas Eve a political issue and treat it as a dowry to collect votes. Thus, the Jobbik-Conservatives would declare December 24 a holiday. In this regard, the government had to act responsibly in favor of the current economic opportunities.
The actions of some uninvited provocateurs in the media want to hinder the growing cohesion of our society in favor of party interests. The trade unions should feel that class action is no longer a career. A member of the National Association of Workers' Councils (MOSZ), Egyenlő.hu is on the right track. All those who criticize the employees will probably remain in the minority with their opinions.
László Csizmadia
is the chairman of the CÖF-CÖKA board of trustees
MTI / János Vajda
