Responding to the ACAS survey, Paddy Lillis – Usdaw General Secretary says: “Usdaw’s cost of living survey of low-paid key workers found that 83% feel financially worse off than last year and nearly three in four reported that financial worries are impacting their mental health. So we are concerned but not surprised by this ACAS report.
 
“We agree with their conclusion that employers should create ‘an environment where staff can openly talk about their mental health’. Trade unions have a key role to play in delivering that. Usdaw’s ‘It’s Good to Talk’ campaign seeks to equip our workplace reps with the tools they need to ensure members receive the right support at work.
 
“At the heart of this cost of living crisis is a lack of decent employment rights. Low-paid workers are particularly vulnerable to having their hours, wages or terms and conditions cut. Usdaw is clear that workers must be given greater rights and protections, through a new deal for workers that delivers higher pay and more secure employment.”
 
Notes for editors:
 
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK's fifth biggest trade union with over 350,000 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 www.usdaw.org.uk
 
Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS): www.acas.org.uk
 
Labour’s New Deal for Workers: www.usdaw.org.uk/LaboursNDW
 
For Usdaw press releases visit: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Twitter @UsdawUnion