Nick Thomas-Symonds MP joined activists and representatives from retail workers’ trade union Usdaw in Cwmbran town centre to celebrate National Retail Workers Day (Saturday 5th July).
Usdaw’s National Retail Workers’ Day reflects the social and economic importance of retail jobs and retail workers across the UK, and provides the opportunity to thank all retail workers for the hard work they do for local communities.
As the trade union for retail workers, Usdaw represents hundreds of thousands of workers across the UK retail sector, and continues to make a crucial difference for retail workers by negotiating higher pay rates and more secure employment contracts, campaigning to revitalise high streets and tackling abuse and violence towards retail staff, and delivering for members through supportive policies on mental health support and for workers with caring responsibilities.
Nick Thomas-Symonds MP said: “Retail workers do an essential job for our economy and our communities, so I was delighted to join local representatives from Usdaw in Cwmbran town centre to mark National Retail Workers’ Day, and to send my thanks to all retail workers across Torfaen.”
“I’m proud that this Labour Government is delivering for retail workers through an increase to the National Living Wage, advancing the Employment Rights Bill which will expand sick pay for 1.3 million of the lowest earners and abolish the exploitative fire and rehire practices, as well as tackling the epidemic of retail crime and assaults on shop workers by making it a specific offence through the Crime and Policing Bill.”
“I know that delivering on these manifesto commitments will make a real difference to the lives of retail workers.”
Paddy Lillis, Usdaw General Secretary said: “We welcome the support of Nick and the Labour Government for retail workers, who are key workers delivering essential services in our communities and wider economy. National Retail Workers’ Day adds to Usdaw’s year-round campaigning for improved workers’ rights and negotiating with employers for better terms and conditions.
“In the first year of Labour in Government, they are delivering with new rights to help make work pay and jobs more secure, which is the change our members voted for. Retail workers are at the heart of our communities and are at the core of success in the retail industry, which is crucial to the UK economy and a vital part of high streets. It is only right that retail workers are valued, respected, and suitably rewarded for the contribution they make.”
