The conference brings together trade unions representing workers from across the whole of the island of Ireland, it is taking place in Kilkenny, 4-6 July. Usdaw will be representing members working in Northern Ireland.
Paddy Lillis – Usdaw General Secretary says: “Technology has become an ever-increasing part of our lives and as a result of these massive changes, it is estimated that nine in 10 employees will need to retrain by 2030. Many jobs and workers have already been impacted and as the rate of technological development increases, there will be a greater and greater impact on the workforce.
“We are alarmed by the lack of training from employers to help ensure that workers can use technology effectively. Usdaw’s own research shows that over half of workers do not believe they have been given adequate training on the use of technology at work.
“A key priority must be to ensure everyone can access the skills and qualifications required to adapt to the changing world of work. High quality training provisions should be the foundation of any plan to respond to automation and technology.
“Crucial to making all this happen is the role of strong trade unions in workplaces. So we are also backing calls for a ‘right to organise’. Being able to effectively organise workers is crucial to our bargaining strength and our ability to make sure workers are treated with respect, kept safe at work, have job security and are paid a fair wage.”
Usdaw is calling for:
- Significant and long-term investment in skills funding, including co-ordination of skills and adult education budgets.
- Positive action to tackle under-representation, including calling on employers to report on what actions they are taking to promote inclusive training and skills provisions.
- Development of robust sectoral plans to support skills development.
- A right to paid time off for retraining to encourage greater overall digital literacy as well as broader skills development across the workforce.
- Stronger legislation to prevent union busting tactics and the removal of practices that seek to undermine organising in the workplace.
Notes for editors:
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK's fifth biggest trade union with over 350,000 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
www.usdaw.org.uk
For Usdaw press releases visit: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Twitter
@UsdawUnion