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Health and safety issues top the list of Lidl distribution centre staff concerns says Usdaw

Date: 13 April 2018 Usdaw, the trade union for Lidl staff, is continuing the long-running campaign for recognition with three further campaign days on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, at distribution centres across the UK in: Exeter (Devon), Enfield (North London), Wednesbury (West Midlands), Aycliffe (County Durham), Belvedere (South East London) and Runcorn (Cheshire).

Paddy Lillis – Usdaw’s General Secretary Elect says: “We remain very disappointed that the company continues to refuse to allow our union officials on site to talk to staff. It is clear from conversations with Lidl staff that managers are briefing against Usdaw. The staff are keen to talk to us, but often not within sight of the distribution centre where they can be seen by managers.

“Topping the list of staff concerns are significant issues around health and safety, often made worse by an unreasonable volume of work and difficult to achieve performance targets. Lidl staff do not feel they are able to raise these issues with managers and need an independent trade union to help prevent accidents and serious injuries.

“Usdaw has a wealth of experience in promoting good health and safety at work. We train reps to look for problems and resolve them with managers. That is not only good for the staff, but good for the business. Health and safety at work is a right not a privilege.

“Good industrial relations are important for business and that requires the staff having a voice, through an independent trade union, so that they get a proper say in their working lives. We urge the company to end their continued opposition to trade unions and meet with Usdaw to talk about recognising us as the trade union for Lidl staff.”

Notes for editors:

Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK's fifth biggest and the fastest growing trade union with over 430,000 members. Membership has increased by more than 28% over the 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.

The ongoing Lidl recognition campaign continues with a focus on seven sites between 15 and 17 April 2018, located at: