Paddy Lillis – Usdaw General Secretary says: “Earlier today we called for more clarity on Government advice, particularly around the closure of non-food shops. We now have clear instructions and we urge the public to listen and act accordingly.
“As a result, we are aware of that some employers are laying staff off and asking them to go without pay until the Government’s Coronavirus Job Protection Scheme commences, potentially at the end of April. Low paid workers cannot wait this long without pay and we urge the Government to act urgently to protect the workforce and for employers to act sympathetically.”
“Our members in supermarkets have had a torrid time over the last few days due to panic buying. Tonight the Government has made it absolutely clear that people can only leave home to buy essential items. We hope that brings to an end the misery that shopworkers have endured as this crisis unfolded.
“I would like to pay tribute to the essential workers who will continue to leave their homes and work to help us through the Coronavirus emergency. They deserve our appreciation and admiration.”
Notes for editors:
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK's fifth biggest trade union with over 400,000 members. Membership has increased by more than one-third over the last couple of decades. 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
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