Customers urged by Usdaw to respect shopworkers as shops start to reopen
Retail trade union Usdaw is calling on customers to follow the rules and respect shopworkers, as stores in Scotland start to gradually reopen with ‘click and collect’ services next Monday 5 April.
Stewart Forrest – Usdaw Divisional Officer for Scotland says: “The gradual reopening of stores on Monday, with ‘click and collect’ services, offers a lifeline for many retailers. That is good news in terms of helping to safeguard jobs, but the virus is still out there.
“We expect employers to ensure that robust safety measures are in place and that customers are fully aware of the restrictions. Shoppers need to play their part in helping to limit the spread of the virus and avoid further lockdowns by following the rules and respecting staff.
“Regrettably, throughout this appalling pandemic, incidents of abuse towards shopworkers doubled. It should never be just a part of the job and shopworkers must be respected. Retail staff are working with the public every day and are not only facing increased abuse, but also a higher chance of catching Covid-19.”
Survey Results 2020: Campaign to end violence and abuse against retail workers
Retail trade union Usdaw is urging customers to respect shopworkers as they today release new statistics showing that 79% of shopworkers say abuse was worse last year.
Scottish shopworkers are speaking out about their own experiences ahead of a new protection of shopworkers law coming into force in August.
The final results of Usdaw’s 2020 survey of 2,729 shopworkers across the UK found that:
These are some of the comments Scottish shopworkers shared when responding to Usdaw’s survey:
Central Scotland: “I challenged the customer under ‘Think 25’ – he threw his shopping at me and tried to grab me.” – “Punched in back when filling shelf by a customer, just to ask me if I am busy!” – “Told that I’m a f***ing cow.”
Glasgow: “Customer swore at me and hit with sandwich.” – “Varies from comments such as stupid bitch, jobsworth, being told to f*** off or shut up.” – “Finger pointing in face and being poked with finger.” – “Customer trying to punch me on the body.”
Highlands and Islands: “Asking politely to keep a 2 metre distance. Was told to f*** off & get on with my work.” – “Throwing money at me.” – “Verbal abuse, mainly from people influenced by drugs and alcohol.”
Lothian: “People get stroppy about wearing face coverings.” – “Customers have called me an ‘idiot’ for asking for ID.” – “Had a customer grab my bottom when leaning over me to get at products.”
Mid-Scotland and Fife: “Customers take their frustrations out on the staff, being verbally abusive for no reason and treating us like dirt.” – “Threats, coughing in my face, rants at having to wait in a queue.”
North East Scotland: “Shoplifters angry at being challenged.” – “An attempted armed robbery, verbal abuse from shoplifters, verbal abuse from intoxicated customers and verbal abuse from people who’ve been asked for ID.”
South Scotland: “Covid related abuse about social distancing and queues at checkouts.” – “Get verbal abuse asking for ID.” – “customers being nasty, shouting in front of the rest of the queue, and shouting abuse when carrying out Challenge 25.”
West Scotland: “Drunk people unable to accept service refusal, usually verbal also been spat at and threats.” – “When politely explaining our refund policy some people get very abusive when they find out they cannot exchange without a receipt.”
Paddy Lillis, Usdaw General Secretary, says: “It is heart-breaking to hear these testimonies from Scottish shopworkers who deserve far more respect than they receive.
“Our latest survey results clearly show the scale of the appalling violence, threats and abuse faced by shopworkers. It has been a terrible year for our members, with almost 90% of shopworkers suffering abuse, two-thirds threatened and one in ten assaulted.
“We are saying loud and clear that enough is enough, abuse should never be part of the job. At a time when we should all be working together to get through this crisis, it is a disgrace that staff working to keep food on the shelves and the shop safe for customers are being abused.
“So we very much welcomed the ground-breaking legislation to protect shopworkers from violence, threats and abuse, passed by the Scottish Parliament in January. Usdaw has campaigned for many years to secure these legal protections.
“Crucial to the new law having the desired impact is that the public understands that assaulting and abusing shopworkers is totally unacceptable. So we are working with Crimestoppers Scotland, the Scottish Government, police and retailers to promote that message. Our hope is that this new legislation will result in retail staff getting the protection and respect they deserve.”
Shopworkers’ trade union Usdaw has congratulated Anas Sarwar MSP on his election as the new Leader of the Scottish Labour Party.
Stewart Forrest – Usdaw Divisional Officer for Scotland says: “Usdaw nominated Anas Sarwar for leader because we believe he is the right person to rebuild Scottish Labour and then rebuild Scotland. So we are delighted that he has won the support of Labour members and affiliated supporters.
“Usdaw members, their families and working people across Scotland need a strong Labour Party in the Scottish Parliament and across the country, speaking out for them on their issues. With the election coming in May, it is crucial that Scottish Labour comes together behind the new leader and puts forward a positive message to the country.
“The SNP Government are failing to deliver social justice, tackle poverty and address the crisis in health and education. Usdaw members need Labour in power to deliver change. I know that Anas does not underestimate the challenge ahead for Labour and Usdaw will be working with him to help improve Scottish workers’ lives.”
Retail trade union Usdaw has welcomed the launch of a joint campaign by Crimestoppers Scotland to raise awareness and stop abuse of shopworkers. The key message is to ‘speak up 100% anonymously about attacks on shopworkers’.
The independent charity Crimestoppers Scotland joint campaign comes following the passing of the Protection of Workers (Scotland) Bill, which was successfully steered through the Scottish Parliament by Daniel Johnson MSP (Labour, Edinburgh Southern). The campaign is supported by Usdaw, the Scottish Grocers’ Federation and the Scottish Government.
Usdaw’s 2020 survey of 2,729 shopworkers across the UK found that:
88% experienced verbal abuse
61% were threatened by a customer
9% were assaulted.
Stewart Forrest, Usdaw’s Scottish Divisional Officer, says: “Retail staff have been on the frontline throughout the coronavirus crisis, helping to keep our communities fed, despite the risks of contracting the virus. We owe them a debt of gratitude and abuse should never be a part of their job.
“The final results of our 2020 survey show that 9 in 10 shopworkers had been abused last year. So we very much welcomed the ground-breaking legislation to protect shopworkers from violence, threats and abuse, passed by the Scottish Parliament last month. Usdaw has campaigned for many years to secure these legal protections.
“Crucial to the new law having the desired impact is criminals understanding that assaulting and abusing shopworkers is totally unacceptable. So we welcome the opportunity to work with Crimestoppers Scotland, the Scottish Government, police and retailers to promote that message. Our hope is that this new legislation will result in retail staff getting the protection and respect they deserve.”
Angela Parker of Crimestoppers says: “Everyone has the right to feel safe. Violence and aggression towards shop staff can often leave people traumatised with vital, local shops at risk of closing. We would encourage communities to speak up to our charity 100 % anonymously if they know or suspect who is responsible.
“Please help us to help you by telling us, completely anonymously, what you know. You can talk to us by calling our UK Contact Centre which is open 24/7 on freephone 0800 555 111 or you can use our easy and secure anonymous online form at crimestoppers-uk.org.”
Voices from the frontline:
Some of the comments Scottish shopworkers shared when responding to Usdaw’s survey:
“Shouting, being dismissed, being spoken down to. Treated like scum.”
“We deal with everything – threatened to be stabbed after work, family threatened, grabbed by the neck and pushed against the wall.”
“Pandemic has brought out the worst behaviour in many people. Verbal abuse for limiting items during lockdown, making people queue and most for mask wearing.”
“Varies from comments such as stupid bitch, jobsworth, being told to f*** off or shut up.”
“Always about alcohol. The refusal to sell to an intoxicated person or when asking for age identification.”
The impact of abuse, threats and violence on retail staff will be highlighted in a new awareness-raising campaign.
It comes following the passing of the Protection of Workers (Scotland) Bill and findings from the Scottish Grocers Federation, which show a rise in reported attacks on staff in 2020.
Real life testimonies feature in the campaign emphasising the damaging effect this criminal behaviour has on retail staff.
The campaign is being delivered by Crimestoppers, Fearless and the Scottish Grocers Federation, and is being funded by the Scottish Government.
Community Safety Minister Ash Denham said: “Shop workers play a crucial role in our communities and their outstanding dedication and sacrifice throughout the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has only emphasised this.
“While overall violent crime is much lower than a decade ago, the Scottish Grocers Federation crime survey last year indicated an increase in verbal or physical abuse in 2020 among the sector. Such appalling behaviour is completely unacceptable and no one should have to experience it while doing their job. Like everyone else, shop workers are fully entitled to be able to work free from the threat of violence or abuse.
“Our awareness campaign encourages everyone to be respectful and think about how they interact with shop workers. For any shop worker who experience this type of criminal behaviour, we ask that they report it immediately to the Police or anonymously through CrimeStoppers or Fearless.org”
Dr John Lee of the Scottish Grocers Federation said: “The launch of this retail crime campaign is a major step forward in making our shops safer for retailers and customers.
“We are delighted that the Scottish Government is supporting the campaign and we are fully committed to making it a success. Shop staff should not have to put up with any form of abuse or threatening behaviour and we are calling on all our colleagues across the industry to report every incidence of retail crime.”
Angela Parker of CrimeStoppers said: “Everyone has the right to feel safe. Violence and aggression towards shop staff can often leave people traumatised with vital, local shops at risk of closing. We would encourage communities to speak up to our charity 100 % anonymously if they know or suspect who is responsible.”
Court of Session rules in favour of workers affected
Retail trade union Usdaw yesterday won an interdict in the Court of Session in Edinburgh against Tesco forcing some of the staff at the Livingston distribution centre onto a new contract, which would result in the affected staff losing between £4,000 and £19,000 per year.
The judgement, which applies to the Livingston site only, means that Tesco are legally prohibited from unilaterally withdrawing entitlement to retained pay and/or terminating the contract in order to re-engage the worker on new terms which do not include retained pay.
The ‘fire and rehire’ proposal also affects workers in Litchfield, Daventry clothing and Avonmouth Tesco distribution centres and we will continue to fight for same result for our members at these sites.
Joanne McGuinness, Usdaw National Officer, says:“We are very pleased to have secured this victory for our members who faced a huge cut in wages after Tesco moved to renege on a longstanding collective agreement made in good faith. It is a major victory in the fight against ‘fire and rehire’ tactics, which are now being used by too many businesses.
“The court delivered a temporary prohibition and we are now calling on the company to honour the judgment and withdraw its plans at all sites. We stand ready to seek a permanent interdict for Livingston and a High Court injunction for the other sites to defend this unfair pay cut for hundreds of key workers.
“Tesco can stop this now, by doing the right thing and withdrawing their threat to these longstanding staff, who have worked throughout the pandemic to keep stores stocked with the essential items we all rely on.”
Retail trade union Usdaw has welcomed yesterday’s unanimous vote in the Scottish Parliament for a ground-breaking law to protect shopworkers. This follows a long campaign by the union for new legislation to tackle growing violence, threats and abuse against retail staff.
The Protection of Workers (Retail and Age-restricted Goods and Services) (Scotland) Bill was successfully steered through the Scottish Parliament by Daniel Johnson MSP (Labour, Edinburgh Southern).
Stewart Forrest, Usdaw’s Scottish Divisional Officer, said: “We are grateful for the support of MSPs and congratulate Daniel Johnson MSP on securing ground-breaking legislation to protect shopworkers from violence, threats and abuse. We hope the UK Government will now follow suit to protect shopworkers in the rest of the UK.
“Retail staff have been on the frontline throughout the coronavirus crisis, helping to keep our communities fed, despite the risks of contracting the virus. Yesterday the final results of our 2020 survey showed that 9 in 10 shopworkers had been abused last year. This new law firmly backs up Usdaw’s clear message that abuse is not part of the job.
“We are now looking to work with the Scottish Government, police and retailers to promote the new law. We want criminals to understand that assaulting and abusing shopworkers is unacceptable and will land them with a stiffer sentence. Our hope is that this new legislation will result in retail staff getting the respect they deserve.”
Paddy Lillis, Usdaw General Secretary, said: “The Scottish Parliament is leading the way on protection of shopworkers by passing this Bill. It is a great result for our members in Scotland, who will now have the protection of the law that they deserve. We are grateful to Daniel Johnson for steering this important legislation through the Parliament.
“We have been deeply disappointed with the UK Government’s response to our campaign, offering little more than sympathy and their objecting to protection of shopworkers legislation. So we are looking for MPs to support key workers across the retail sector and help turn around the UK Government’s opposition.”
Usdaw urges MSPs to back a new law to protect Scottish retail staff
Shopworkers’ trade union Usdaw has today released new figures showing the extent of abuse retail staff suffered last year, ahead of tomorrow’s final vote in the Scottish Parliament on ground-breaking legislation to protect retail staff.
Usdaw’s 2020 survey of 2,729 shopworkers across the UK found that:
88% experienced verbal abuse,
61% were threatened by a customer,
9% were assaulted.
The Protection of Workers (Retail and Age-restricted Goods and Services) (Scotland) Bill will make it a specific offence to abuse, threaten or assault a shopworker. It is promoted by Daniel Johnson MSP and timetabled for its third and final stage in the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday 19 January 2021.
Stewart Forrest, Usdaw Divisional Officer says, “We congratulate Daniel Johnson MSP for the work he has done on behalf of our members and retail workers across Scotland by getting this Bill to its final stage in the Scottish Parliament. We urge MSPs to support this ground-breaking new law.
“Shopworkers have been on the frontline throughout the coronavirus crisis, helping to ensure our communities remain fed, despite the risks of contracting the virus. The latest stats we have released today clearly show the scale of abuse they have endured and the need for a change in the law.
“This is a hugely important issue for our members and their local communities. Shopworkers are saying loud and clear that enough is enough, abuse should never be just a part of the job. Retail staff have a crucial role in our communities and that role must be valued and respected, they deserve the protection of the law.”
Voices from the frontline:
Some of the comments Scottish shopworkers shared when responding to Usdaw’s survey:
“Shouting, being dismissed, being spoken down to. Treated like scum.”
“We deal with everything – threatened to be stabbed after work, family threatened, grabbed by the neck and pushed against the wall.”
“Pandemic has brought out the worst behaviour in many people. Verbal abuse for limiting items during lockdown, making people queue and most for mask wearing.”
“Varies from comments such as stupid bitch, jobsworth, being told to f*** off or shut up.”
“Always about alcohol. The refusal to sell to an intoxicated person or when asking for age identification.”
Paddy Lillis – Usdaw General Secretary says: “It is heart-breaking to hear these testimonies from Scottish shopworkers who deserve far more respect than they receive.
“By passing this Bill, the Scottish Parliament will be leading the way on protection of shopworkers. Retail staff are key workers delivering essential services and we hope MSPs will support them in tomorrow’s vote.”
– All supermarket colleagues to receive at least £10 an hour from April –
– First major UK supermarket to reach key pay milestone –
Morrisons is today announcing a new pay deal for its store colleagues, becoming the first UK supermarket group to guarantee pay of at least £10 an hour.
The new deal will start in April and will mean a significant pay increase for nearly 96,000 Morrisons colleagues. For the majority of colleagues the pay increase is approximately 9%.
Morrisons minimum hourly pay currently stands at £9.20 an hour***. Today’s announcement means that since 2015, Morrisons pay has increased by over 46%.
Three quarters of the costs of the increase will be met by direct payroll investment and a quarter by changing the discretionary annual colleague bonus scheme. Having listened hard to colleagues, they said they would prefer to have a guaranteed amount in their hourly rate and receive it more regularly. So, the annual budget for the discretionary bonus scheme is being rolled into colleagues’ hourly rate, which is paid every four weeks.
David Potts, Morrisons CEO, said: “It’s great to be able to say that in the UK from April this year, if you work at Morrisons supermarkets, you will earn at least £10 an hour. It’s a symbolic and important milestone that represents another step in rewarding the incredibly important work that our colleagues do up and down the country.
“Over the last year we have seen renewed and widespread appreciation in the UK for our colleagues who have had an incredibly tough 2020, working tirelessly so Britain could eat well and shop safely throughout the pandemic. Morrisons colleagues have earned their status as key workers, and this pay increase, many times over.”
Joanne McGuinness, Usdaw National Officer, said: “The new consolidated hourly rate is now the leading rate of the major supermarkets, which is paid every hour and removes the uncertainty of a bonus payment.
“It is a big step forward, shows that Morrisons is prepared to invest in the staff to help grow the business and I hope that the deal is supported by our members in the ballot.
“It’s been a tough time for food retail staff who have worked throughout the pandemic in difficult circumstances. They provide the essential service of keeping the nation fed and deserve our support, respect and appreciation. Most of all they deserve decent pay and this offer is a welcome boost.”
The pay deal announced today is subject to a ballot opening on 27 January 2021.
Shopworkers’ trade union Usdaw has welcomed an announcement by discount retailer B&M that they will close their stores on New Year’s Day. The company said this is a ‘thank you’ for hard work and commitment during incredibly challenging year and to give staff a ‘well-deserved rest’.
This is particularly important in Scotland where Usdaw is campaigning for all stores to close on 1 January. The union’s New Year’s Day petition will be considered by the Scottish Parliament’s Public Petitions Committee on Wednesday 16 December.
Dave Gill, Usdaw National Officer, said: “When the country faced a crisis unlike any in our lifetime, shopworkers stepped up and kept essential services running. They continued to work and faced increased levels of violence and abuse, as well as being worried about catching Covid-19.
“So we welcome B&M saying ‘thank you’ to their staff with the closure of stores on New Year’s Day. Key workers have done so much this year and we are asking retailers to give their staff the longest possible break over the festive season. We don’t think that is too much to ask for.”
Scottish shopworkers speak out about violence, threats and abuse
Retail trade union Usdaw has today launched Respect for Shopworkers Week to raise public awareness of violence, threats and abuse against retail staff. Scottish shopworkers speak out about their own experiences.
Interim results from Usdaw’s ‘Freedom from Fear’ survey of over 2,000 retail staff shows that so far this year:
76% say abuse has been worse than normal during the Covid-19 pandemic,
85% of shopworkers have experienced verbal abuse,
57% were threatened by a customer,
9% were assaulted.
The annual respect for shopworkers week runs from 16-22 November 2020. During the week, Usdaw will be raising awareness of the year-round Freedom from Fear Campaign and promoting the parliamentary petition calling on the Government to legislate to protect shopworkers.
Voices from the frontline:These are some of the comments Scottish shopworkers shared when responding to Usdaw’s survey:
Shouting, being dismissed, being spoken down to. Treated like scum.
We deal with everything threatened to be stabbed after work, family threatened, grabbed by the neck and pushed against the wall.
Pandemic has brought out the worst behaviour in many people. Verbal abuse for limiting items during lockdown, making people queue and most for mask wearing.
Varies from comments such as stupid bitch, jobsworth, being told to f*** off or shut up.
Always about alcohol. The refusal to sell to an intoxicated person or when asking for age identification.
Paddy Lillis, Usdaw General Secretary, says:“It is heart-breaking to hear these testimonies from Scottish shopworkers who deserve far more respect than they receive.
“Abuse should never be a part of the job and we are appalled that three-quarters of retail staff say abuse has been worse during this appalling national pandemic. At a time when we should all be working together to get through this crisis, it is a disgrace that staff working to keep food on the shelves and the shop safe for customers are being abused.
“Action to protect shop workers is needed and that is why we have launched a petition, which now has nearly 70,000 signatures. We were deeply disappointed by the Government’s response to the petition, offering little more than sympathy, so we continue to campaign for the 100,000 signatures needed to trigger a parliamentary debate.
“This is a hugely important issue for our members and their local communities. Shopworkers are saying loud and clear that enough is enough, abuse should never be just a part of the job. Retail staff have a crucial role in our communities and that role must be valued and respected, they deserve the protection of the law.”
