Usdaw celebrates Labour pledges to boost workers rights

Usdaw, one of the UK's biggest unions, is delighted that workers' rights will take a central role in the Labour Party's next manifesto.

Speaking after a national policy forum in Warwick, which decides future Labour Party policy, Usdaw General Secretary John Hannett said: "Millions of workers will benefit from these policies. The Labour Party has again shown it is prepared to listen and deliver."

Among many policies that Usdaw advocated and Labour acted on were:

- A pledge to look at improving the accessibility of parental leave and to make parental leave paid time off (parental leave is currently unpaid time off for parents of children under six).

- Ensure unscrupulous employers don't count bank holidays in employees' statutory minimum four weeks' annual leave (this will give many workers an extra eight days paid holiday per year).

- Plans to increase promotion of "proof of age" cards for the purchase of age-restricted products (which is one of the aims of Usdaw's Freedom From Fear campaign).

- Examine "the disturbing trend" of employers to pay 18 to 21 year-old workers less than they pay older workers.

John Hannett said: "There were many positives from the national policy forum for Usdaw and its members. We want to ensure all our members achieve a good work/life balance, with help and assistance given to those who require it, particularly workers who have caring responsibilities at home. We have achieved considerable progress already during two terms in office for Labour and Usdaw will continue to give its full support to Labour towards an historic third term."

Notes to Editors:

• Usdaw (the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK's fifth biggest union with over 335,000 members. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also represents workers in distribution, call centres, food manufacturing, dairy and other industries. Usdaw has its head office in Manchester, and more than 20 divisional and area offices across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

• 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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