What Reps say about Respect Week

A Tesco rep from the West Midlands, who ran a public stall:

"Respect Week gave the team the opportunity to speak to customers and explain the kind of incidents staff have to deal with.

"The campaign day was a huge success. It was great to raise the Union’s profile in the store and see the reps working together, building confidence and developing their own organising skills."

A Morrisons rep from the West Midlands, who ran a canteen event:

"As always, there was a lot of interest. It’s important to remind staff and customers of the flashpoints, especially with Christmas around the corner. We want to remind all staff that they should report abusive customers to management.

"Holding a campaign day also gave us the opportunity to show the Union in a positive way. It’s important to get the message across that we are here to support our members."

A Tesco rep from the East Midlands, who ran a canteen event:

"The campaign went well and we had some good feedback from staff about their own experiences.

"These events are extremely valuable for me as a rep as they give me the opportunity to speak one-on-one with colleagues, members and non-members alike. This helps to build up trust and awareness that the Union is here to help them. I recruited two new members and persuaded a few members who were thinking of leaving to continue their membership."

A Sainsbury’s rep from the East Midlands, who ran a public stall:

"I was delighted my manager agreed we could set up a stall outside. We really captured the customers’ attention on the way into the store and we were able to get across all the messages of the campaign.

"The day was a huge success and customers went home better informed and wearing our sticker in support of shopworkers."

A Tesco rep from the North West, who ran a public stall:

"We set up at the front of the store so we could catch shoppers on their way in and out. Customers were genuinely shocked by the campaign’s statistics and to learn that shopworkers are verbally abused on a regular basis.

"We’re always looking to improve our membership figure and holding events like this has proved very successful. The events are also a good training opportunity for reps as they put our skills to the test."