Alan Simpson backs Usdaw's Parents and Carers campaign

Jeff Broome, Jayne Justin and Nottingham South MP Alan Simpson

Nottingham South MP Alan Simpson has backed retail union Usdaw’s Parents and Carers campaign after meeting Boots workers in Beeston.

The MP heard from Usdaw members at the plant about the campaign that mandates all union officials to put improved maternity, paternity and carers rights on the table at every wage negotiation.

“Usdaw is the only union that has made sure that improving the rights of our hard working members who care for others are at the very heart of all the work we do,” says Usdaw convenor Jeff Broome. “We surveyed our members and found that a staggering 78% of new mums would have liked more time off but they just couldn’t afford to take the full time off.”

“It was good to get Alan into Beeston talking to our members who took the opportunity to lobby him hard to support an extension of the right to request flexible working to parents of all school-age children. I know only too well how many of the people here struggle to fit childcare around their working hours so it’s important we get support at Westminster for this extension.

The lobby proved effective as Alan Simpson pledged to support an extension of the right to flexible working.

“I was really impressed by the strong case put forward by working parents at Beeston and I’ll make sure that those views are fed back into the Government’s ongoing review of flexible working”, Alan Simpson said. “Usdaw works hard representing working parents and I want to make sure they win the right to request flexible working for parents with school age children.”

“Children are at the heart of Labour’s political agenda. The introduction of measures like tax credits and the extension of childcare provision have directly benefited low-paid workers. We want to do more to help and I welcomed the opportunity to talk to working Usdaw members who were robust in putting their case forward, which was very refreshing. ”

“This is an issue about fairness and relieving pressure on working parents, we know there are costs attached but this is about harnessing the skills, talent and experience of millions of working parents.”

Alan Simpson also visited the Phoenix Centre which offers a Lifelong Learning Centre directly to union members with a range of courses from basic literacy to improving IT skills.

“I was one of 196 MPs who signed an early day motion supporting the right to elected learning committees in every workplace in the UK,“ Alan Simpson said. “I was delighted to visit the Phoenix centre which has been a huge success in offering learning opportunities designed to boost careers and self confidence.”

“All the evidence shows that workers who are accessing education are better motivated, absenteeism drops and they are more productive. Everyone wins and I saw for myself the power of learning so Usdaw can be assured of my support when a proposal to have elected learning committees comes before parliament.”

Notes to Editors:

• Contacts for newsdesks: Usdaw’s Media Officer, Paul Clarke, can be contacted on 0161 249 2469 or e-mail paul.clarke@usdaw.org.uk.

• Usdaw (the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK’s fifth biggest trade union, with over 340,000 members. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemicals and other trades.

• More information and news releases are available at our online Newsroom.

• Journalists can subscribe to receive Usdaw news releases via our online e-news service.

 Printer Friendly Page

 Email to a Friend

© 2003 (USDAW) Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers
This page: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/equality/news/1126522217_16045.html
Last Modified: Monday, 12-Sep-2005 21:12:10 EST
Proudly designed and programmed by Social Change Online
Site Credits