Keir Starmer - Leader of the Labour Party said: “It’s more important than ever to get Britain boosted to protect our NHS and save lives. The arrival of the worrying new variant is a reminder that the pandemic is not over and vaccines are the best weapon in our fight. So let’s keep our foot on the pedal and get Britain boosted to protect our families, friends and NHS.”
Paddy Lillis – Usdaw General Secretary says: “The spread of the new Omicron variant is a worrying reminder that the pandemic isn’t over and that we can only defeat it by acting together. The best way to do that is to get vaccinated. If you can, make sure you get your first two doses and, when eligible, your booster.
“Usdaw members working in retail and distribution have kept food and vital supplies on the shelves throughout this difficult period. We all need to do what we can to protect them, other key workers and ourselves, our families and friends. We have come so far already, let’s get through this together.
“We are continuing to ask employers to support their staff to get their jab. We are also calling on retailers and the Government to reintroduce social distancing and other safety measures in stores.
“With a rapid increase in cases, it is also vital that the Government addresses the inadequate level of Statutory Sick Pay. Ensuring that workers can afford to take time off when they are sick is a vital public health measure.
“Everyone has a role to play in stopping the spread of the Omicron variant, so we are encouraging the shopping public to wear a mask, keep safe and respect shopworkers.”
Notes for editors:
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK's fifth biggest trade union with over 380,000 members. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemical industry and other trades.
For further information please contact Usdaw’s Media Officer, David Williams on: 0161 249 2469, 07798 696 603 or by e-mail to
[email protected]
For Usdaw press releases visit: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Twitter
@UsdawUnion