Dave Gill - Usdaw National Officer says: “This is clearly devastating news for the staff. Uncertainty hangs over every Debenhams shopworker, with the company announcing last year a possible 50 store closures, which would put 4,000 jobs at risk. We are urging management to engage with Usdaw the trade union for all Debenhams staff, we are here ready to get round the table and work together to turn the business around.

“Crucial to the future of the company is the staff and their voice should be heard, they must also be treated with dignity and respect and that is best done through their trade union Usdaw. We will continue to provide our members with the support and advice they need at this very difficult time.”

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 420,000 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.
 
For Usdaw press releases visit: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Twitter @UsdawUnion