UK's fifth biggest union sends 'Vote Labour' message to members

Sir Bill Connor, General Secretary of the UK's fifth biggest union, Usdaw, has urged the union's third of a million members to back Labour in the European and local elections.

In a letter to officials and the secretaries of Usdaw's 596 branches across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, the union's leader describes the elections on 10th June as "an important test, not just of the Labour Party, but of Usdaw." He warns against voter apathy: "If not enough people vote on 10th June, the Tories and BNP will win seats."

Branch secretaries and officials are asked to encourage all members to vote, invite election candidates to visit their workplace and display posters and leaflets on union noticeboards.

Usdaw has also sent individual letters to 50,000 members in North West England and 20,000 members in South West England, areas which are European election targets of the BNP. The letters state that the BNP "need only 10 per cent of the vote to gain the seat and a national media platform for the BNP to peddle their racist propaganda ...By voting Labour, you will help to stop them."

In the North West, more than 30 Usdaw activists will be on the streets in Oldham and Rochdale this weekend (15th and 16th May), campaigning on behalf of Labour candidates.

Three Usdaw members are standing as Labour candidates in the European elections - Ebrahim Adia and Rosie Cooper in the North West, and Bernadette Hartley in the South West. They are seeking to become Usdaw's first Members of the European Parliament.

Sir Bill Connor said: "Our members have made considerable gains thanks to Europe, including new rights covering parental leave, part-time workers, working hours and discrimination. Labour is reforming Britain and delivering radical change, not only for this generation but for future generations. It is important for Usdaw to campaign against voter apathy - as this is the secret weapon for the Tories and BNP. We must not let them in through the back door."

Notes to Editors:

• Usdaw (the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK's fifth biggest union, with over 330,000 members. Most Usdaw members work in retail, but the union does have many members working in transport, call centres, home shopping, food manufacturing, chemicals, insurance, dairy process 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.

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