Usdaw calls for protection for shop workers and action on cost of living crisis

A leading trade union has called on for action to tackle the deepening cost of living crisis and protection for shop workers from violence, threats and abuse. 

Retail trade union Usdaw has a delegation attending this year’s Northern Trades Union Congress (TUC) Conference where it is calling for scrapping the planned increase in National Insurance Contributions and developing effective strategies to tackle retail crime.

“Many low-paid key workers, who kept the country going through the pandemic, were already struggling to make ends meet and now find themselves in a cost of living crisis. With food and fuel prices increasing, energy bills soaring and real wages falling, our members need clear action to tackle rising costs. Spiralling household bills are putting many under pressure at a time when real wages are now lower than in 2008,” Joanne Thomas – Usdaw Regional Secretary said, adding that 70 percent of Usdaw members were already struggling to pay energy bills.

Thomas added that there has been a significant increase in abuse of shop workers during the pandemic. Research by Usdaw found that around nine in ten retail workers are now abused for simply doing their job.

“Women, young and Black workers are disproportionately impacted and often on the receiving end of the worst types of abuse. Retail workers, along with other key workers, made an incredible contribution to ensure we can get through the Coronavirus crisis. These efforts must be recognised. Retail crime must be tackled through raising awareness among the shopping public and ensuring local police forces have proactive strategies in place to deal with the issue,” Thomas said.

Usdaw calls on the TUC to campaign for: 

• A windfall tax on North Sea oil and gas producers, to fund removing VAT on domestic energy bills, along with expanding and increasing the warm homes discount.
• Scrapping the planned increase in National Insurance Contributions.
• An urgent and fundamental overhaul of Universal Credit to ensure it provides a social security benefit that supports low-paid workers.
• Respect for shop workers, alongside Usdaw’s ‘Freedom from Fear’ campaign.
• Police and Crime Commissioners to develop effective strategies to tackle retail crime.
• Employers to protect shop workers and enforce zero-tolerance policies in stores.