Usdaw remembers those we lost to the pandemic and highlights the role of essential workers

Paddy Lillis – Usdaw general secretary says: “On the fifth anniversary of the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, it is right that we reflect on the lessons that still need to be learnt, appreciate the efforts of key workers who provided essential service in very difficult circumstances and remember the friends, family and colleagues we lost. The vast majority of our members are key workers, working in retail, distribution, funeral care, food and pharmaceutical manufacturing, helping to keep the country fed and healthy. As we reflect today, Usdaw is also encouraging our members to share their experiences with the Covid-19 Public Inquiry.”

Paddy Lillis continues: “The pandemic changed our lives in ways we would never have believed possible. At every step of the way, Usdaw was there to support members and our reps who played an absolutely vital role in the most difficult and challenging of circumstances. Conducting risk assessments and delivering appropriate safety measures, ensuring ‘clinically extremely vulnerable’ workers did not lose pay while they were unable to attend the workplace and dealing with appalling increases in customer abuse, Usdaw reps have been nothing short of extraordinary, while all the time dealing with their own anxieties and challenges. 

“The contribution of our key workers, and the sacrifices that they made, must never be forgotten. The pandemic exposed weaknesses in the employment rights framework and it also brought about a horrific rise in violence and abuse against retail workers. As we reflect on these events, five years on, we can see positive steps forward, with the Employment Rights Bill bringing the much-needed new deal for workers into law and the Crime and Policing Bill creating essential protections for retail workers against violence at work. Together we will continue to fight for safer workplaces and a fair deal for all workers.”