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Arena Magazine Issue 04 |
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Scotland powers ahead with campaign launch
Massive press coverage North of the border followed the Scottish launch of the Freedom From Fear campaign.
In a joint initiative, senior Usdaw officials John Hannett and Frank Whitelaw were joined by MSPs Cathy Jamieson and Sarah Boyack, Scotmid Co-op Chief Executive Colin Bird and Joe Hill of the Co-op Party at a special event at the Scotmid Edinburgh store.
Cathy Jamieson, Labour's deputy leader in the Scottish Parliament said: "Physical and verbal abuse must not be accepted as part of the job for shopworkers, and this campaign will help to harden the public's attitude against this sort of unacceptable behaviour. It is important that retailers, the police, and local authorities work together to ensure that shop staff receive the protection they deserve."
Divisional Officer Frank Whitlelaw welcomed the support. "Our members and reps can be reassured by the support we've had from the Scottish Labour Party, the Co-op Party and the Scotmid Co-op," he said. "Our members have really taken the campaign to heart, and I'd like to thank them for all of their hard work in making it such a huge success."
One of those reps is Kwik Save shop steward Anne Proudfoot, who sustained head and eye injuries in her own store in Bonnyrigg, Mid Lothian, Scotland, after an attack. "I've been both verbally and physically abused, and believe me it can be very frightening. Staff in my store have been verbally abused on several occasions.
"The verbal abuse can be just as bad as the physical abuse, because this can turn violent at any stage, and the swearing and threats stay with you. When I heard about the campaign I was so impressed, I couldn't wait to introduce the campaign to stores in my area.
"Customers and staff all support it. They've signed the petition and many have written to their MPs using the model letters in the campaign pack. I've also spoken to the local community police and am trying to set up a link with the other shops on the high street so that we can alert each other when there is any trouble."
Meanwhile members of the Scottish Women's Committee took an in-depth look at the campaign and how they could take it forward in their workplaces.
Activists discussed their experiences of violence and abuse in their workplaces, security measures, staffing levels and ways to protect staff. Committee chair Margaret Mitchell said the members identified a number of common concerns.
"Staffing levels are very important," she said. "Our members must report all incidents. violent or abusive customers have to be banned from the stores, and training for staff is essential. The campaign is going really well and everyone's playing a part."
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