Retail trade union Usdaw has today (15) launched the first annual National Retail Workers’ Day, which engages with the public to highlight the value of retail workers in our shops and communities.
Usdaw activists across the country are holding regional events in stores and shopping centres asking the public to show their support for shopworkers and share the message that “retail workers are at the heart of our communities”.
Stating that retail directly employs nearly 3 million, Usdaw says the staff are at the core of success in the retail industry, which is crucial to the UK economy and a vital part of high streets and communities. National Retail Workers’ Day provides a great opportunity to thank all retail workers for the hard work they do, day in day out.
“Retail work is 24/7, mentally and physically demanding, multi-skilled, high pressure, profit driven, and target led. Retail workers have to be adaptable and dynamic, responding to rapid changes in a fast-moving consumer driven industry. Despite the demands of the job, many retail workers and their families are facing impossible decisions just to make ends meet. While everyone has been affected by the rising cost of living, retail workers have been at the sharp end of it.
“The retail sector continues to be of fundamental importance to the UK economy and society as a whole. Despite this, retail jobs do not reflect their true value and significance. It is clear that more needs to be done by both employers and Government to help shape the future of retail work and to ensure retail jobs provide people with the decent pay and hours they both need and deserve. In addition to decent pay and hours, staff should feel safe and valued at work.”
