Paddy Lillis – Usdaw General Secretary says: “With the retail sector already struggling, Usdaw’s priority is to prevent store closures, protect jobs and ensure a vibrant High Street. So it is alarming that the CMA concerns over competition could lead to the loss of 150 stores, thousands of jobs and more holes in already struggling high streets.

"The CMA’s recommendations came about without adequate consideration of the impact of the merger on the workforce. We urge the Government to listen to the concerns of staff by extending the role and the function of the CMA to include consultation with trade unions, appoint trade union representatives onto the CMA and conduct a full review of UK takeover laws to ensure the impact on workers is taken seriously in all decisions.

“The retail sector is facing one of the most challenging periods in its history. To tackle the crisis on our high streets Usdaw is proposing a comprehensive industrial retail strategy for the retail sector. We urge the Government to engage with us and support our strategy to ensure that shopworkers have a voice in the future of retail.”

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 420,000 members. Membership has increased by more than one-third over the last couple of decades. 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