If music be the food of love, show some respect to shopworkers

The first National Respect for Shopworkers Day (17 September) is now officially music to the ears of retail staff. Usdaw, the premier retail union which has organised this major national event, will launch a specially commissioned CD to promote its campaign.

Usdaw Deputy General Secretary John Hannett said: "Thousands of shopworkers are threatened, abused and attacked every year. No-one should have to tolerate such appalling treatment. This CD will bring wider appeal and understanding to an important issue." The CD contains three tracks - an original and remixed version of 'Respect' and a second song called 'Chill Out'.

The National Respect Day is part of the Usdaw Freedom From Fear campaign, which aims to protect shop staff from violence and abuse. Violent attacks on shopworkers have increased by 75 per cent since 1999. Verbal abuse happens every day in a third of the UK's shops.

Home Secretary The Rt Hon David Blunkett will join Usdaw's leaders Sir Bill Connor and John Hannett at the London launch of the Respect Day. More than 100 stalls are planned for towns and cities across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to help publicise the issues.

Copies of the CD can be e-mailed on request to radio stations.

Timetable for the London launch of National Respect Day for Shopworkers is as follows:

10am	Unveiling of a special plaque, one of more than 3,000 UK-wide – stating that violence and abuse will not be tolerated – at the Co-op Welcome store, Camberwell New Road, London, SE5, by Usdaw’s Sir Bill Connor and John Hannett with Martin Beaumont, Chief Executive Co-op Group, Rt Hon David Blunkett MP, and five victims of violence and abuse (see below).
1.30pm	Lobby of MPs at the Cabinet War Rooms, Westminster. Including the launch of a specially commissioned campaign theme tune.
4pm	Meeting with Tony Blair with Martin Beaumont of the Co-operative Group and Moreton Middleditch of the BRC.

David Valentine (Co-op, Roehampton), Sharon King (Oxford & Swindon Co-op), Colin Marriott (Tesco, Brixton), Jacqui Clarke (Sainsbury, Bath), and Alan Platt (Kwik Save, Castleford) are all victims of either violence or abuse, and will be available for interview during the day. Contact details for the five are available from this office.

• For more information on the campaign visit the Freedom From Fear section.

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