Respect Week in focus

Violence and abuse against shopworkers is rarely out of the news these days – Usdaw is out to change all that.

Usdaw members are being urged to get involved in the Respect For Shopworkers Week in November, part of the union's award-winning Freedom From Fear campaign.

National events are planned for Westminster, the Scottish parliament and the Wales and Northern Ireland Assemblies. However, general secretary John Hannett is keen to have as many local events as possible. "The Week will run from 3-7 November and we want to see reps, members and officials working together to raise the issue of violence and abuse in the workplace," he said. "In the past we have won the support of the shopping public by setting up stalls, handing out promotional leaflets and asking customers to sign our petitions. The issue and incidents of violence and abuse hasn't gone away that's why our campaign will continue. There is still a minority of customers who think it is acceptable to verbally abuse or threaten and sometimes attack shop staff for the most trivial of reasons. That's not acceptable.

"Most of the big employers totally agree with our message that 'violence and abuse is not part of the job'. Some retailers have displayed joint statements with the union reminding customers that abusive or violent behaviour will not be tolerated."

Last year a report by employers' group the British Retail Consortium reported a 50 per cent rise in physical assaults and 128 per cent rise in threats of violence. "We are determined to work with companies, local councils and the police to rid our shops and shopping areas of this criminal and anti-social behaviour.

"Behind the statistics are the real stories of injury, pain and mental distress inflicted on innocent staff. We owe it to these victims of crime to carry on with our campaign."

Kim Higgins - Attacked by customer

Shopworker Kim Higgins was off work for five weeks after she was attacked by a customer. "It was a real ordeal and I felt very vulnerable for a long time after the assault," she said. "I'd say I was quite a tough person but I was surprised how it all affected me. The union's support was great. Usdaw helped me to take a claim to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) and I was awarded £1,000."

Tousif Ahmed - Stabbed by petrol thieves

General assistant Tousif Ahmed was stabbed when he went to the aid of a security guard following an incident at a petrol forecourt station. "I'm forever looking over my shoulder these days," he said. "I had to move to a different store, but the feelings of fear and anxiety never leave you." The union took Tousif's case to the CICA and he was awarded £1,000.

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© 2003 (USDAW) Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers
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