John Gorle – Usdaw National Officer says: “Whenever staff are transferred to a new employer, there is always uncertainty about the future. So we welcome the Co-op’s assurances that terms and conditions of employment will be safeguarded and staff will continue to have secure jobs with a future.

“Usdaw has a good and productive relationship with the Co-op and we will be seeking a similar approach from McColls. In the meantime we are providing our members with the support, advice and representation they require.”

Notes for editors:

Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK's fourth biggest and the fastest growing trade union with over 430,000 members. Membership has increased by more than 17% in the last five years and by nearly a third in the last decade. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the Union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemicals and other trades.

For Usdaw press releases visit: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Twitter @UsdawUnion