General Secretary Elect Paddy Lillis led the congratulations as they debated the need to increase political interest and activity among the unions reps and members.
Ruth George MP – Labour, High Peak says: “After all my years in the Labour Party I didn’t think I could feel more hatred of what the Tories do to working people, until I sat across from them in the House of Commons and listened to how disconnected they are from people’s lives.
“Public services are being hollowed out by Government cuts, which impacts most on the lowest paid and poorest working families. £5 billion of cuts in Universal Credit will leave the average family around £2,000 worse off. Police cuts are directly causing an increase in crime, including theft from shops and all the problems that causes shopworkers.
“Austerity has cut our economy and public services to shreds, at the same time the nation’s debt has doubled. It’s hurting, but it’s certainly not working. After Brexit we have real fears that the Conservatives will attack workers’ rights that, will no longer be protected by the European Union, so it is crucial that the trade unions work with Labour to defend workers.”
Paddy Lillis – Usdaw General Secretary Elect says: “Politics does matter and we have to make the case to our members that to engage with it will make a real difference to their lives.
“We only have to look at what Labour delivered in government to see that difference: National Minimum Wage, Trade Union Modernisation Fund, trade union lifelong learning, signing the Social Chapter which introduced many more basic employment rights from Europe, trade union rights to recognition and much more.
“By contrast the Conservatives in government introduced the Trade Union Act, which sought to severely undermine political funds and prevent us from running effective political campaigns on key issues around enhancing health and safety, improving the minimum wage, preventing violence, threats and abuse against shopworkers and many others.
“Usdaw will engage our members in politics, improve political activism and become a force to be reckoned with.”
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.
For Usdaw press releases visit: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Twitter @UsdawUnion