MANCHESTER – The Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (USDAW) has launched a petition urging the UK government to implement new legislation that would protect retail workers from violence, threats and abuse.
USDAW says such incidents have only become more frequent since lockdown was lifted, and that it can fall back on “significant evidence” that it’s collated to support its assertions that retail workers face routine abuse whilst doing their job.
USDAW general secretary Paddy Lillis said: “I urge the government not to dismiss my petition, but to listen to the voices of shop workers and employers by legislating for stiffer penalties for those who assault workers. They have talked about zero-tolerance, but that means very little if it is not backed up by strong actions.
