Shopworkers’ trade union leader John Hannett – Usdaw General Secretary says: “This week is the TUC’s ‘heart unions’ week where we celebrate the work of trade unions and most importantly the dedication of reps like Kay. Members can expect much more from their union than negotiating terms and conditions of employment. We have reps like Kay across the country in many workplaces who are working hard on a voluntary basis to help members to access learning and in many cases return to education for the first time since leaving school. These schemes are run in partnership with employers and are only successful because of reps like Kay.”

Kay Timbrell says: “It is very hard work, but very rewarding and I’m delighted to have received this award. Wherever there is an opportunity to promote lifelong learning I take it. So working with the company, who provide facilities equipment and release for staff, we’ve managed to secure courses with New College in Swindon. Seeing members engage in learning is reward enough, this national award is the icing on the cake.”

Martin Rose - Tesco Stroud store manager says: “We’re really proud of all the work Kay has done this year to help her fellow colleagues get back into learning. She is driven and focused, and her contagious energy really helps to encourage colleagues to consider new learning opportunities. It’s made such a difference to the morale in store and we cannot thank Kay enough. She really does embody the spirit of the partnership.”

Notes for editors:

Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK's fourth biggest and the fastest growing trade union with over 440,000 members. Membership has increased by more than 17% in the last five years and by nearly a third in the last decade. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the Union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemicals and other trades.

♥unions week - 8‑14 Feb 2016: The heartunions week of action celebrates the great work done by union reps and members in our workplaces and in society. We're proud of our unions and reject the government's attempts to damage them with the trade union bill. http://heartunions.org/

http://www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Twitter @UsdawUnion