Dave Gill - Usdaw National Officer says: “The collapse of Wilko is a devastating blow for their staff, our high streets and communities. The loss of this longstanding retailer shows how precarious the retail industry is and we continue to call on the Government to intervene with a retail recovery plan. How many more retailers have to go to the wall before Ministers will start to take the retail crisis seriously?
 
“This is a terrible time for Wilko staff, with many unsure about what the future holds for them. So Poundland’s agreement to take on the leases for 71 former Wilko stores will, we hope, lead to employment for a significant number of staff from those stores and provide some hope. Usdaw has a long relationship with Poundland as the recognised trade union and we stand ready to provide our members with the support, advice and representation they will need through this process.
 
“Action to protect retail jobs and our high streets is long overdue. Usdaw has developed a comprehensive plan for the future of retail work. It proposes a new economic framework, replacing our outdated business rates system, to level the playing field between online and high street businesses. Funding for local authorities to make their high streets places that people can access and want to visit. Better pay and secure work for retail workers with a new deal. All of this can and must be done.”
 
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
 
A plan for the future of retail work - ensuring retail jobs are better jobs: www.usdaw.org.uk/RetailPlan2023
 
For Usdaw press releases visit: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Twitter @UsdawUnion