Views from the frontline: rising to the challenge facing the retail and manufacturing sector

Usdaw faces one of the biggest challenges in our history and the union has risen to that challenge. Usdaw reps always do a vital job for the union, but the way they have stepped up to provide support and advice for members is truly inspirational and they have done this while going through a very difficult time themselves.

We have ensured members and reps are organised, represented, advised of their rights and their issues tackled. Usdaw has delivered for members working on different sectors such as retail, distribution, warehouses, delivery, food production, manufacturing, pharmaceutical and funerals.

Throughout the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis, Usdaw has been raising a range of important issues with politicians. We have requested:

• Furloughed workers to receive average pay to include bonuses payments which are linked to hourly earnings.
• SSP to be paid at average pay and the Lower Earnings Limit disregarded.
• Workers across the food retail, pharmaceutical and funeral sectors to be classified as key workers in light of the school closures.
• Calculations for maternity, paternity and adoption pay to be protected against any drop in hours or earnings as a result of the outbreak.
• Significant increases in Universal Credit along with the five-week waiting period for new claimants to be scrapped.
• Guidance to businesses that they should stop operating if their business is non-essential
• Support for essential retailers to enforce social distancing.
  
  

Usdaw officials have been busy working hard to negotiate and achieve the best deal possible for Usdaw members, including:

• Pay bonuses for members working in food retail.
• Closure of some non-essential retail stores.
• Sick pay from day one for workers showing symptoms and self-isolating.
• Safer working in online operations and distribution centres.
• Furloughed workers getting guarantees over wages.
• Pay and additional flexibility over working hours for members who need time off due to school closures.
• Enhanced social distancing and improved health & safety in many workplaces.
  
  

The union’s officials, staff and reps have been involved in a huge operation to advise members on their rights and options. We have a section of the Usdaw website to help advise members of their basic rights.

Usdaw members have been doing a fantastic job to ensure that food and other essential services are delivered to the public. Usdaw will ensure that members and reps get the support, advice and representation they need to get through the crisis.