Paddy Lillis – Usdaw General Secretary says: “The ongoing cost of living crisis will remain a key challenge for 2023, if we are to believe the grim economic forecasts. Skyrocketing prices, along with huge increases in energy and fuel costs, leave too many workers struggling to make ends meet. The situation was made much worse by Conservative chaos and we now have the prospect of a deep and long recession.
 
“With rising living costs, we need improved pay and conditions. Usdaw continues to campaign for a new deal for workers based on at least £12 per hour immediately, as a step toward £15, and more secure contracts. If the Tory election slogan ‘build back better’ means anything, it will be centred on fairness at work. Our members continue to work hard and keep the country going, but they are struggling and they need a government on their side.
 
“Disgracefully this Conservative Government has turned their back on working people. They promised to improve workers’ rights, but are only seeking to attack workers seeking fair pay deals. In contrast, Labour has already committed to delivering a much needed new deal for workers in the first 100 days of being in government.
 
“We cannot go on like this, In 2023 Usdaw will continue to mobilise for a general election to get this Tory Government out, standing up to Tory attempts to weaken workers’ rights and stop trade unions fighting for our members. Usdaw will keep building a stronger union movement to win decent work, fair pay and dignity for all workers. Solidarity and best wishes for 2023.”
 
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.
 
For Usdaw press releases visit: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Twitter @UsdawUnion