Paddy Lillis – Usdaw General Secretary says: “On International Workers’ Day we celebrate workers’ contribution to society, reflect on the achievements of the labour and trade union movement and look to future challenges and campaigns.
“Millions of low-paid workers provide essential services to help ensure the country is fed, healthy and safe, but often do not get the respect and reward they deserve. Now they are up against the biggest cost of living crisis in 50 years, with prices devaluing wages as we’ve suffered double-digit inflation for over a year.
“There needs to be lasting and fundamental change to the way society views workers. We need a New Deal for Workers: a significant minimum wage increase, an end to insecure employment, respect for shopworkers and action to ensure that retail jobs are no longer underpaid and undervalued. Going to work should mean a decent standard of living for all workers.”
“The Government is not offering the change our members need. Labour is pledged to deliver a new deal for workers within 100 days of coming into government. Usdaw will continue to mobilise for a general election because only Labour has the policies and ideas that can put the country back on track.”
Usdaw’s call for a New Deal for Workers includes:
- Minimum wage of at least £12 per hour immediately, as a step towards £15 for all workers, ending rip-off youth rates.
- Minimum contract of 16 hours per week, for everyone who wants it, that reflects normal hours worked and a ban on zero-hour contracts.
- Better sick pay for all workers, from day one, at average earnings.
- Protection at work, respect for shopworkers, abuse is not a part of the job.
- Proper social security system, Universal Credit does not provide an effective safety net.
- Job security, with day one employment rights for unfair dismissal and significant improvements to redundancy protections.
- Fair treatment and equality for all workers, including equal pay.
- Voice at work, stop rogue employers refusing to engage with trade unions and end ‘fire and rehire’.
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
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