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The UK shows its Respect
24 September 2007
Union reps and officials made sure Usdaw’s campaign to stop abuse in the workplace had the maximum support.
Usdaw's annual National Respect Day won the support of a government minister, scores of MPs, and thousands of members of the public on July 11 when reps and members took the union's campaign to stop abuse of shopworkers onto the UK's high streets.
Now in its fifth year, the day forms part of the award-winning Freedom From Fear campaign, and saw stalls set up which used leaflets, balloons and a petition to raise the profile of this vital issue. This year's theme was It's Your Store . . . Respect It!
"More than 100,000 shopworkers are either attacked, threatened or verbally abused at work every year," said general secretary John Hannett who launched Respect Day at the Co-op in Eltham, chosen because it has its own police station in-store.
He was joined by home office minister Vernon Coaker, local MP Clive Efford and Kathryn Smith from the Co-op, which has been very supportive of the initiative.
"We are grateful to the support we've had from MPs and companies like the Co-op, Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons, Argos and many others," added John.
"We all have a responsibility to work with employers, local authorities, the police and our local MPs to ensure shop staff and customers can enjoy a safe working and shopping environment."
Government minister Vernon Coaker, who has responsibility for policing, security and community safety said: "This campaign has really put the issue of abuse on the political agenda. It is clearly unacceptable that staff have to put up with such levels of violence and threats."
Usdaw's campaigning team then went on to Westminster where they were joined by more than 40 MPs for a meeting and photocall outside the Houses of Parliament with the campaign banner.
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