Bill Connor, General Secretary of USDAW (Letters, December 22), seems a conservative trade union leader.

He says he and his union want 2.6 million shopworkers to be at home with family and friends on Christmas Day.

Many workers are not devout Christians Mr Connor, and who are you to say what everyone should be doing on December 25?

We have no train or bus services on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Not operating such basic public services is disgraceful.

I'd favour abolishing all public holidays! Then we could all have a full range of options available every day of the year.

If all employees were entitled to a minimum of 28 working days annual holiday, for a 35 hour week, more jobs would be created.

Our public holidays are archaic and unsuitable for the 21st century.

Colin S Jeffrey

East Mount Road,

York.

Updated: 10:25 Thursday, December 27, 2001