Union Chief Urges Thought for Christmas Day Workers Including Clergy
Paul Nowak, TUC general secretary, has urged people to spare a thought for those working on Christmas Day, including clergy members who are union members and some of whom will be delivering services or maintaining church operations on that day.
An estimated 1.2 million people will be working on Christmas Day, including care workers, nurses, and NHS staff.
Nowak made these remarks at the TUC Congress House in London on 24 December 2025.
He also highlighted the recent Employment Rights Act, which received Royal Assent last week. The Act is aimed at ending exploitative zero-hours contracts and boosting pay and job security.
Starting from April next year, up to eight million workers will receive sick pay from day one due to the Act. Additional rights are expected to be introduced over the next 18 months to two years, including further measures to end exploitative zero-hours contracts.
