Strong enough to grow

Usdaw reps and officials continue to build this union into one of the strongest in the UK and I’m delighted to report that our membership is now in excess of 365,000 – the highest its been since the late ’80s.

This is down to the hard work, dedication and teamwork which I have witnessed while travelling around the country meeting reps face-to-face in their own workplaces.

I know from my own time as a rep it's not easy to keep banging the union's drum but clearly our army of activists are recruiting and organising in their workplaces. The result will make us stronger and more influential with employers across all of our sectors.

I was particularly pleased to visit a number of distribution sites over the last few months and it was good to see many of these reps at the first national warehouse and distribution conference. I'm sure this event will go from strength to strength in the future.

Warehousing and distribution are often the unsung heroes of the retail sector and it's only right Usdaw gives them the prominence, and day-to-day support the reps and members deserve.

Economic slowdown

I'm pleased this union is in such a strong position to meet head-on the challenges we face in the coming months and years. Talk of the 'credit crunch' and financial pressure on us all as consumers with higher fuel and food prices is clearly going to take its toll.

As a union we will continue to represent our members during these difficult times and we will be pressing for legal protection from the Government for workers who may face redundancy in the future. We don't want to see a repeat of the Kwik Save fiasco which penalised thousands of our members.

Looking ahead

It's no accident that our political profile has improved massively during the last few years. Our campaigning agenda, based on our members' experiences and wishes, and not some political posturing for the sake of it, has seen hundreds of MPs sit up and take notice of the union's agenda.

This professional approach has been repeated in all other areas of how we operate. Our fundamental review, of how we work and the service we offer to our members, over the last two years has contributed to the strong position we are in today.

But we should take nothing for granted. Hard work, commitment and dedication has ensured we have made great progress. We expect no favours, only fairness in dealing with employers and government and I know if we all continue to work together we'll achieve even more.

John Hannett
Usdaw General Secretary

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