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Usdaw Saved Our Sundays
27 July 2006
Since taking over as General Secretary I have made sure that campaigns protecting our members’ rights have been at the heart of everything we do.
That strategy really paid off when we recently persuaded the Government to scrap a proposal to extend Sunday trading hours for large stores.
Make no mistake, this was a stunning victory against the odds and it was down to the efforts of Usdaw members across the UK sending specially designed postcards to their MPs saying the existing six hour limit was enough and running events to raise public awareness.
I know from feedback we’ve had that those cards made a real impact in persuading nearly 300 MPs to sign a parliamentary Early Day Motion opposing extending Sunday trading hours which I believe was key in securing our victory.
At a time when many voters are cynical about politicians it’s refreshing to know that the simple act of writing to MPs, with a well argued case, can change the Government’s mind when at one point it seemed deregulation of Sunday trading was going to happen.
I was particularly proud of how Usdaw presented a well argued ‘Save Our Sundays’ case to ministers that relied on facts - like a survey that found 95% of our members opposed longer shopping hours - rather than emotional rhetoric. We now have a reputation in Whitehall of being a union that they should listen to as we come armed with a solid, well researched case rather than a series of soundbites.
As well as the marvellous support from members we have seen some outstanding work from officials at central office and across the divisions. Our political and media teams have worked long and hard to make the case to MPs and reporters with great success.
I have also been very impressed with the divisional activities where our members got the shopping public to sign postcards and collect names on a petition that I was proud to hand in at Number 10.
Usdaw is now the best campaigning union in Britain with a record of winning real victories at Westminster. My commitment is to make sure we continue that work which does directly benefit every member of this union.
We did ‘Save Our Sundays’ and it was down to you, so thank you all for your support.
John Hannett, General Secretary.
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