Usdaw makes a number of policy suggestions to the Government, centred on three key areas:
- Changing the economic framework on everything from car parking in town centres to business rates, commercial rents and reforming the tax system to create a level playing field between online and ‘bricks and mortar’ retailers.
- Improving productivity by addressing low pay and insecure work.
- Challenging perceptions about retail work and promoting the idea that retail jobs are ‘proper jobs’.
Paddy Lillis – Usdaw General Secretary says: “The retail sector has experienced a turbulent and challenging number of years on a variety of fronts. Employing around 3 million people it contributes 11% to the UK economic output; so it is clear that the challenges affecting the retail sector have a huge knock on effect, impacting the UK economy and a significant number of workers. Usdaw has developed a proper industrial strategy for the retail sector, seeking action from national and local government.
“A new economic framework is needed to support and develop the retail sector, as opposed to the current one which is no longer fit for purpose. This should include action on: Rents and rates; parking charges and public transport issues; tackling anti-social behaviour in town centres and fair taxes to level the playing field between online and bricks-and-mortar retailers.
“Stronger corporate governance is necessary, addressing the pay gap between CEOs and the lowest paid workers. Also new rules to curb asset-stripping and ensuring that business failure cannot be rewarded with excessive bonuses and pay-outs.
“Retail staff are working under a cloud of uncertainty and insecurity and morale in the sector is at an all-time low. The constant cycle of restructures, store closures and contract variation has left staff overworked and underpaid. Pay is a real issue and we are calling for £10 per hour minimum, alongside more secure contracts to provide a weekly wage that workers can live on.
“The ongoing productivity issues within the sector need to be addressed, and decent pay and conditions play a key role in this. Also staff cuts can have a negative impact on workers’ mental health and wellbeing, which creates a downward spiral in productivity.
“Retail jobs are real jobs. We need a commitment from employers and government to invest in skills within the retail sector, including a sustained investment in upskilling workers affected by automation, delivered through union learning and high quality apprenticeships.
“Shopworkers should be valued by their employer, they are at the forefront of delivering good customer service. That was the prime philosophy of those who built many of today’s biggest retail businesses. Unfortunately some employers have turned their back on that principle, the staff are no longer valued in the way they used to be and that is having an adverse effect on the sector.
“Unfortunately that attitude appears to be the case in Government as well and we remain disappointed that the Government has not included a retail staff representative on their new panel to look at the future of the high street. We now urge them to engage with and support our retail strategy and give Usdaw a seat on the panel established by High Streets Minister Jake Berry MP and chaired by Sir John Timpson. The voice of shopworkers needs to be heard.”
Notes for editors:
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK's fifth biggest and the fastest growing trade union with over 430,000 members. Membership has increased by more than 28% over the 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.
Usdaw’s industrial strategy for retail: www.usdaw.org.uk/retailstrategy
For Usdaw press releases visit: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/newsand you can follow us on Twitter
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