Jeff Broome – Usdaw President said: “Usdaw’s backbone is our reps who work so hard to make the union such a brilliant campaigning machine and a strong voice for our members. Standing up to unfairness in the workplace, representing colleagues who need our support and making sure as many people as possible join up to the union.”
“The UK has had some striking political changes in the last year: The vote to leave the European Union, a new Prime Minister and most recently, the calling of a snap General Election. So it has been a bit of a tough year defending the rights of the vulnerable and those at risk of exploitation.
“The Tory attack on equality in the workplace is now in full force. Theresa May tried to block the Equality Act, implemented by Labour in 2010, so it is no surprise that in government she is seeking to water down its implementation and undo as much as possible, pushing back progressive workers’ rights and making the workplace less fair.
“Discrimination against pregnant women and new mothers has risen sharply in the UK. Tribunal fees have had a devastating impact on access to justice and the ability to challenge unfair treatment at work. The EU Repeal Bill will mean that many more workers rights are under threat and we will be campaigning hard to protect our members’ rights.
“The referendum result in favour of leaving the European Union was, of course, totally legitimate, but had the sad effect of emboldening a small minority of racists. The Union’s ‘No Room for Racism’ campaign tackled this head on and was launched within days of the referendum result.
“This year our Supporting Parents and Carers Campaign is reaching out to members who are balancing work with looking after someone whether it is children, grandchildren, older family members or a disabled person. The theme is ‘Difficult Balancing Act?’
“I’m absolutely delighted to be opening another ADM today.”
Notes for editors:
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK's fourth biggest trade union with nearly 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