 Home John Says
Membership matters
17 November 2008
As we come towards the end of the year the turmoil in the global financial system has cast a huge shadow over all of our lives.
It is now more apparent
that we are entering a
recession and its full impact
will affect our membership
in a number of ways. Our
immediate concern is
unemployment as it
continues to rise, house
prices are still falling and
inflation is around five per cent.
The Government’s rescue
package and the cut in
interest rates will hopefully
have some benefit over the
coming months.
However, in these
difficult times being a union
member is even more
important than ever.
Safeguarding workers’ rights
is one of the core reasons
why unions exist and it is a
fact of working life that
employers always treat
workers who are organised
in a union far better than
they do the unorganised
workforce. We will continue
to protect your jobs to the
best of our ability and make
sure your rights are
enforced.
A recent survey showed that every minute of the working day a shopworker is verbally abused, threatened with violence or physically attacked. Shopworkers report that incidents are more frequent in the run-up to Christmas as shops are busy, customers can be stressed and are more likely to take out their frustration on staff.
Talking to our members who work in retail, I know that verbal abuse cuts deep. Many will go home after a shift upset about an unpleasant incident that took place work that day and worried that it will happen to them again.
That is why Usdaw, the shopworkers’ union, is running a Respect for Shopworkers campaign, asking customers to ‘Keep your Cool at Christmas’. It’s a simple message, but remembering that shopworkers are working extra hard at this time and treating them with respect will mean that everyone can have a happier Christmas.
I’m pleased to report that
our membership continues
to grow thanks to the hard
work and dedication of our
reps and officials. This
strength in numbers will
stand us in good stead over
the coming months. Unlike
most unions we have
invested heavily in our
organising agenda, which
puts training and supporting
reps at its heart. Clearly this
has paid off and hopefully
will help us battle through
the economic downturn. So
despite the financial doom
and gloom there are still
plenty of positives for
Usdaw and its members.
I would like to express
my appreciation to all those
members and union reps
who voted to re-elect me as
your General Secretary. I will
continue to work tirelessly
on behalf of our members
and to ensure that we remain
a strong union during these
challenging times ahead.
On behalf of the Executive
Council can I wish you and
your family all the very best
for Christmas and the New
Year.
John Hannett
General Secretary
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