RETAIL trade union Usdaw is holding its National Retail Workers’ Day, which engages with the public to highlight the value of retail workers in our shops and communities. There are 2.8 million jobs in retail, accounting for close to 10% of all jobs in the British economy. It is collectively the biggest private sector employer in the country.

On Saturday 5 July, between 11am and 3pm, Usdaw activists are holding a campaign event on Broadwalk in Harlow town centre, asking the public to show their support for shop workers and share the message that ‘retail workers are at the heart of our communities’. The staff are at the core of success in the retail industry, which is crucial to the UK economy and a vital part of high streets and communities.

National Retail Workers’ Day provides a great opportunity to thank all retail workers for the hard work they do, day in day out. As the trade union for retail workers, Usdaw represents hundreds of thousands of workers across the UK retail sector. Usdaw continues to make a difference for retail workers by:
· Negotiating higher pay rates and more secure employment contracts.
· Calling for action to help revitalise our high streets.
· Delivering for our members in the workplace, including negotiating supportive policies on the menopause, greater support on mental health issues and caring for children and family.
· Working with employers, Government and the police to tackle abuse, threats and violence towards retail workers and deliver vital new legal protections.

Phil Waite – Usdaw deputy regional secretary says: “On Saturday we are celebrating the role of retail workers, who undertake an essential role in our communities and our economy. I want to thank retail workers for the incredible role they do and invite the public to join with us on National Retail Workers’ Day. It is only right that retail workers are a part of this positive event and enjoy good relations with the communities they serve. This day of appreciation adds to our year-round campaigning for improved workers’ rights and negotiating with employers for better terms and conditions.

“Retail work is 24/7, mentally and physically demanding, multi-skilled, high pressure, profit driven and target led. Retail workers have to be adaptable and dynamic, responding to rapid changes in a fast-moving consumer-driven industry. It is clear that more needs to be done to help shape the future of retail work and to ensure retail jobs provide people with the decent pay and hours they both need and deserve. In addition to decent pay and hours, staff should feel safe and valued at work.

“Since we first launched our day of appreciation, there is now a new Government with a completely different attitude towards retail workers. In its first year Labour has changed the remit of the Low Pay Commission to make progress towards a legally binding real living wage and end rip-off youth rates; advanced the Employment Rights Bill to deliver better paid and more secure jobs; along with taking the Crime and Policing Bill through the House of Commons to tackle the epidemic of retail crime and assaults on shop workers. The delivery of these manifesto commitments represents significant changes that will make a real difference to our members.”