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National Respect for Shopworkers Day
01 July 2006
Abusive customers were shown a symbolic red card as part of the fourth annual National Respect for Shopworkers Day held in July.
This year's event used a football theme to highlight the increasing amount of verbal abuse hurled at shopworkers.
"Our members aren't verbal punchbags," said general secretary John Hannett. "Customers have to remember that just because they might have a problem in-store that's no excuse to swear, threaten or scream abuse at the staff."
Respect Day forms part of the union's award winning Freedom From Fear campaign, now in its fourth year. Recent statistics have shown that violence and abuse against shopworkers has gone up yet again. "Our campaign is as relevant now as it was when we started," said John. "The retail sector is a huge part of everyone's life and a massive part of the UK's economy but for some reason staff are not given the common courtesy and respect they deserve from a minority of aggressive shoppers. Usdaw's message is clear: Abuse is not part of the job."
Outside the Tesco store in Carmarthen Stephen Lloyd-Janes and a team of activists set up a campaign stall. "We had a tremendous response from shoppers," he said. "We even signed up some new members from nearby stores. We were also joined by the mayor and the deputy leader of the council Martin Morris who came down to give us their support."
Meanwhile in Croydon town centre shoppers turned out in droves to show their support. "We had an amazing response from customers and workers," said Sainsbury activist Su Patel. "People queued up to sign the petition and wanted to know more about the campaign. We also recruited some new members which was very rewarding.
"Even if you don't work in retail you're more than likely to know someone who does, so it's a great campaign."
Freedom From Fear 4 years on
This award winning campaign has not only raised the issue of violence and abuse against staff among employers, members and government but has also seen:
- Usdaw reps make a real difference in the workplace.
- Usdaw produce model health and safety policies designed to reduce risk and protect staff.
- Usdaw champion the introduction of a 'No ID No Sale' scheme to prevent violent 'flashpoints' when serving restricted goods.
- Usdaw produce a wealth of innovative campaign materials from magazines, leaflets, petitions and other promotional literature.
For more information: www.usdaw.org.uk/campaigns
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