Historic first for reps

ADM policy was put into practice when the first national trade conference for warehouse and distribution workers was held in late June, Network was there to witness the inaugural event.

The warehouse and distribution membership is a crucial part of Usdaw, general secretary John Hannett told delegates to the first trade conference for the sector.

“We have a good reputation with employees and employers because we understand the sector,” said John, who began his Usdaw career when he worked at Guinness Exports in Liverpool.

“But we face major challenges of low pay, and company demands for complete flexibility among staff.

“The situation looks likely to worsen because of the slowing economy. That’s why we need more members and a collective approach to have more influence in workplaces. We are the fastest growing union in the TUC but there is scope for improvement.

“We have around 33,000 members in the sector who are well looked after by our strong network of reps. We need to build on our strengths and this and future conferences will help us do just that. We will listen to you and your members’ concerns.

“I’m confident we can meet the challenges, why? Because we have an infrastructure of dedicated, well-trained reps across all of the main players in the sector.

“If you look back at the history of Usdaw we have always been more than a shopworkers’ union. Retail is heavily dependent on distribution and by bringing our reps together we can share experiences, assess the sector, have an open debate, and determine our actions.

“We have the strategy, vision and financial strength to succeed. We are not a one company union.

“We’re growing, have a political profile, often punching above our weight, and our campaigns have helped us tap into our members’ issues, which will always be at the top of the union’s agenda.”

A question and answer session followed.

John Harris (Sainsbury’s) said: “When our reps go on a training course there is too much emphasis on recruitment, which isn’t an issue at our depot.”

Jenny Bishop (Next Retail) said: “We need a maximum heat temperature law because sometimes we are working in 100 degrees. Unsocial hours payments are also an issue in the sector.”

Harry Thompson (Sainsbury’s) said: “We have to focus on wage negotiations. The cost of living is rising, companies plead poverty while raising prices to consumers, so we need wages to keep pace with inflation.”

John Hannett replied: “We will be undertaking a full review of the reps’ training programme in the not too distant future. “On maximum working temperatures we will be leading on this when we meet government representatives at the forthcoming policy forum. It’s an issue we take very seriously.

“We know working hours have shifted massively, with regular weekend working, annualised hours, and the impact of Sunday trading. It’s important our members get their work/life balance right.

“Yes earnings is a core issue for us. Experts say we could be facing two years of rising prices and tough economic conditions.”

Other issues raised by Andrea Watts (Morrisons), Jimmy Smith (Morrisons), and Glen Weir (Woolworths) included the treatment of staff who come under the protection of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA); the impact of migrant workers on the core workforce’s terms and conditions; and the difficulties of recruiting migrant or agency workers. John Hannett replied: “The DDA does offer staff protection so we must use it, but we know some workers are being rushed back to work too soon, or genuinely ill staff are being sacked.

“The national debate going on around migrant/agency workers is very important, but we cannot allow the core workforce to be undermined. The new agency directive will help protect these workers but we also need to recruit them so they are not exploited and neither are the permanent employees. We also have to guard against the BNP exploiting any potential conflict. We have to monitor the use, extent and impact of agency/migrant workers in our sites and act accordingly within our trade union principles.”

Deputy general secretary Paddy LIllis gave a report on the sector. “Warehousing and distribution is worth £75bn and employs around 2.3m workers,” he said. “We have high density membership in some sites but we face a difficult year ahead because of the credit crunch, stock moving slower, fuel costs, and higher prices.

“Agency workers aren’t the problem it’s the companies who exploit them. Migrant workers are essential to the economy but clearly language problems are a barrier to safety and for them to understand their rights.

“We want family-friendly work/life balance policies. We don’t want staff to have to work all hours to get a reasonable living wage. Shift patterns, over-time, and pay are all key issues.

“There has been massive restructuring in the distribution network for many companies which has caused problems as closures and new openings impact on staff.”

Delegates agreed for future conferences that experts on health and safety, working time, performance issues and the use of technology in the industry should be invited. Closing the conference john Hannett said: “We are a major player in the sector, we are committed to our reps and our members and I’m sure we can increase our membership and our influence.”

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