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26 & BelowYoung reps not only play a vital role in signing up their colleagues they ensure Usdaw has a strong and healthy future. Morrisons rep Paul Spurr is on a mission to persuade the growing number of young people and students in retail to join the union and learn more about their rights at work. Although only 21, Paul has been in Usdaw for four years and has almost completed his first full year as a rep at his store in Wakefield, Yorkshire. "Most young workers wouldn't have a clue about their workplace rights," said admin clerk Paul. "I was lucky my first job was at a call centre where the union was well organised and with a good team of reps who immediately told me about the benefits of joining the union. It's different in retail. "Until I volunteered for the job of rep we didn't have a rep in this store, so the union's profile wasn't what it could or should be. "I'm really enjoying my role and I've already been on a couple of Usdaw training courses. These have helped increase my knowledge and develop my self-confidence - things are going well. They also helped me realise that you're not on your own as a rep. There's lots of support from your local office. "As a rep you need to be a good listener with a lot of patience. People will come to you if you are approachable. I'm slowly building up membership with the new induction video certainly helping in our store. "Young workers tend to think they won't need the union because they might only work part-time or weekends. But that's not the case and if anything these workers need the union even more than the full-time or permanent staff. For example, if staff have their hours changed they need to know their rights and they need to have a rep on hand to tell them how to use the procedures. Most of the time issues like these can be sorted out pretty quickly and that's in everyone's interests. "I think it's important to have young reps because they can identify more with their colleagues and I'm sure with more younger reps we'd sign up more students."
Trivia fileNamePaul Spurr
Age21
WorkplaceMorrisons/The Ridings Centre, Wakefield
JobAdmin Clerk
Union positions/youth activityUsdaw rep/health & safety rep
LivesNorbury, West Yorkshire
Are you going on holiday this year?Been skiing in Austria earlier in the year & going to the Norfolk Broads in October
Where is your favourite holiday destination?Austria or Gran Canaria
Who would you invite to your celebrity dinner party, and what would be on the menu?Cher, Madonna, and the Spice Girls. Good old fashioned roast beef dinner, yorkshire puds, roast spuds and loads of gravy
If your house was burning down what would you save?Clothes, CDs & aftershave
Which famous person/s living or dead would you like to meet?Cher & Madonna
Favourite Film?Moulin Rouge
Favourite TV programme?Any comedy
Favourite Band/Artist?Anything dance
Favourite Book?Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Where do you go for a night out?Leeds or Manchester
Any hobbies, interests?Skiing, Badminton and dancing freestyle in nightclubs
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