Addressing conference Angela Rayner said: “Just as our country was desperate for change in 1997, we need change now because Britain is at a crossroads. A moment of decision about what future we want, about what we can collectively achieve, about who we can be.
 
“And at this moment, what do the Conservatives offer? Lining the pockets of oil and gas executives, enriching bankers while families are starving, attacks on our most basic rights. Be in no doubt, they are coming after the basic things we expect: decent work, fair pay, the foundations of family life.
 
“So long as I have a breath left in my body I will defend those rights. Including the right to strike. And when in power we will repeal all the anti-worker and anti-trade union laws this Conservative Government has enacted. All of it!”
 
Paddy Lillis – Usdaw General Secretary says: “Usdaw has long campaigned for a new deal for workers to bring fairness to our workplaces and end the scourge of low-paid insecure employment. The Tories talk about a high wage economy, yet have failed to bring forward their promised employment bill and prioritise unfunded tax cuts for the wealthy and big business.
 
“We very much welcome Angela Rayner’s recommitment for the next Labour Government delivering that much needed new deal for workers. After twelve years of Conservative failure, we need a general election and a Labour Government. That cannot come too soon. Only Labour has the plans to help the country through the cost of living emergency.”
 
Notes for editors:
 
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK's fifth biggest trade union with around 360,000 members. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemical industry and other trades.
 
Labour’s New Deal for Workers: www.usdaw.org.uk/LaboursNDW
 
For Usdaw press releases visit: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Twitter @UsdawUnion