Labour conference supports Usdaw’s call for retail workers to be at the heart of the mission for economic growth

Addressing delegates in Liverpool, Paddy Lillis – Usdaw general secretary said: “For too long retail has been overlooked, it's been an afterthought, it’s been neglected. But this industry is essential to our economy, to our communities and to the millions of families whose household incomes depend on it. It's the largest private sector employer in this country, it brings in billions to the economy every year and its workforce serves our communities day in, day out.

“But the Tories didn't value retail and they certainly didn't value retail workers. They sat on their hands while jobs were lost, while shops closed their doors and while the empty holes in our high streets grew bigger and bigger. They made hollow promises and they took no action. Take for example business rates, at an all-time high, a creaking outdated system that damages growth and hinders investment and has helped to pull down the shutters on thousands of stores.

“Labour has recognised this, Labour has committed to reform the system and Labour will level the playing field between online and bricks and mortar retail. A crucial step, but we need more than just economic help for business. The plan for retail must put people front and centre. It must deliver better jobs, decent pay and secure hours. Labour's plan to Make Work Pay can transform the lives of retail workers. It must be implemented fast, it must be delivered fully and it must be enforced.

“Retail workers need to feel secure in their jobs, but they need to feel safe in their workplace too. The new offence of assaulting a shop worker will be an important step forward and it must work alongside investment in policing to tackle retail crime. That's the bare minimum that retail workers need. 

“But they deserve more than the minimum. They deserve opportunity to access training and skills, to keep pace with the changing world of work, through union led learning and good quality apprenticeships. They deserve recognition of their role as part of critical infrastructure, as part of the backbone of our country, at the heart of Labour's industrial strategy and Plan for Growth. 

“And they deserve to be taken seriously, with a voice in the room when key decisions are being taken. Retail workers have insight and experience, they can help the sector to thrive and grow. So, on behalf of retail workers we've been asking governments time and time again to listen to us and work with us. We want to increase investment and drive economic growth, we want to build a strong and vibrant retail sector and we want to help our communities to thrive. For the first time in 14 years we have a government that will do just that.”