Usdaw gives evidence to a key workers roundtable event

Speaking after the event, Mark Todd says: “Throughout the pandemic, retail and distribution workers made an absolutely incredible contribution to keeping the country going, keeping people fed and allowing everyone to get what they needed. They didn’t get the opportunity to work from home; they had to go into work every day, dealing with the public. That contribution needs to be recognised and they should be respected. Violence and abuse against retail workers, including delivery drivers, still happens far too often. So, we welcome the opportunity to address this through Labour’s Crime and Policing Bill, which shows that the Government is learning the lessons from the pandemic.”

Paddy Lillis – Usdaw general secretary says: “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 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 were nothing short of extraordinary while all the time dealing with their own anxieties and challenges. Along with a focus on health and safety, Usdaw negotiated extra pay and
bonuses for staff in recognition of everything they had done.

“We have always known that trade unions make a real difference, but during the pandemic, many more people saw the benefits of union organisation and membership. Trade unions won for workers in many ways. The furlough scheme saved millions of jobs and came out of direct discussions between the unions and Ministers, along with day-one access to Statutory Sick Pay and protections for pregnant workers. Securing key worker status for the vast majority of Usdaw members meant that their incredible role was rightly recognised and parents were able to continue to access essential childcare, while they continued to go to
work and keep the country going.

“Regrettably, the last Conservative Government failed on their promise to ‘build back better’, but we are pleased to see that the new Labour Government is delivering much-needed change and learning the lesson from the pandemic. A new deal for workers is being delivered through the Employment Rights Bill, and action to tackle violence, threats and abuse against retail staff is possible through the Crime and Policing Bill. These new legislative measures will improve the lives of our members and all workers every day but will also provide much-needed protections if we ever have to face the horrors of another pandemic.”