Joanne Thomas – Usdaw general secretary says: “Today starts the first full year of my leadership of Usdaw and we can look forward to Labour continuing to improve the lives of working people. The vast majority of our members are key workers in the grocery and pharmaceutical retail, distribution and manufacturing industries, working hard all year round to keep our communities fed and healthy. Like all workers, they deserve the dignity of decent wages, the security of excellent employment rights and respect, as we seek an end to abuse, threats and violence.
“Labour is delivering on these key issues with an Employment Rights Act that will improve workers’ rights and help achieve a fairer deal at work with more secure contracts. The Crime and Policing Bill will tackle theft from shops and anti-social behaviour, while providing additional protections for workers facing violence, threats and abuse. Labour has mandated the Low Pay Commission to deliver a real living wage and end rip-off youth rates, we look forward to making progress on that in 2026.
“Usdaw’s workplace reps do a brilliant job of supporting our members, providing crucial representation and dealing with many difficult workplace issues, we will continue to support and recognise their important role in our union. We will also keep building a stronger union movement to win decent work, fair pay and dignity for all workers. Solidarity and best wishes for 2026.”
Notes for editors:
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is one of the fastest growing unions in the TUC and the UK's fifth biggest with around 360,000 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
For Usdaw press releases visit: www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Bluesky @usdawunion.bsky.social and Twitter/X @UsdawUnion