Mike Aylward – Usdaw Divisional Officer says: “Our members at Shop Direct are at the forefront of the effects of the introduction of new technology, as they face seeing their Greater Manchester workplace, employing nearly 2,000 workers, move to the East Midlands, employing nearly 500. So it is right that these issues are debated in Parliament and the Government is required to provide a response.
 
“Usdaw reps and officials are preparing for the start of a statutory period of meaningful consultation with the company, where we will interrogate the business case and seek alternatives to their devastating proposals. We welcome the assistance of local MPs and councillors, along with the Greater Manchester Mayor.
 
“We believe there is a role for the Government to intervene and support the staff facing redundancy. There are questions to be answered about what the ‘Northern Powerhouse’ actually means to working people in the North West. Our members will be listening carefully to what the Minister has to say.”
 
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.
 
Debbie Abrahams at PMQs – Wednesday 18 April 2018:
https://twitter.com/Debbie_abrahams/status/986578859104620544
 
Shop Direct joint media statement:
https://www.usdaw.org.uk/About-Us/News/2018/Apr/Shop-Direct-joint-media-statement
 
For Usdaw press releases visit: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Twitter @UsdawUnion