Trade Union
This coverage examines trade union activity and its impact on the UK retail industry. Reporting highlights industrial action, wage negotiations, working conditions disputes, and agreements between unions and employers. Designed for professionals overseeing workforce relations, HR policy, and operational planning in response to labour movements and employee advocacy.
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Mar- 2021 -22 MarchDepartment Stores
Former Ikea execs face prison over espionage allegations
Ikea is appearing in court for allegedly spying on its customers and employees, as two of the group’s former chief executives face up to 10 years in prison. The group’s French subsidiary could receive fines of up to £3.2m after being accused of paying for illegal access to police files.…
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Feb- 2021 -26 FebruaryHealth & Beauty
Boots to axe 300 jobs in Nottingham head office
Boots has confirmed its plans to get rid of 300 jobs in its Nottinghamshire head office, citing the pandemic as a major factor in its decision. The health and beauty retailer’s head office, based in Beeston, is set to lose 10% of its workforce with various position levels expected to…
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Nov- 2020 -16 NovemberHigh Street
76% of retail staff experiencing higher levels of abuse, Usdaw finds
Usdaw has announced that three quarters of retail staff have experienced high levels of abuse and said it “has been worse during the pandemic”. The retail trade union acquired the statistics from over 2,000 retail staff in its annual survey. The interim results for this year showed that 76% of…
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Sep- 2020 -16 SeptemberCoronavirus
Keir Starmer backs Usdaw’s call for government support
Retail trade union Usdaw has welcomed Keir Starmer’s backing for targeted government support to help save jobs and businesses in the retail sector. It comes as the Labour leader spoke to the annual Trades Union Congress, where he paid tribute to retail workers and “lamented that they remain overworked, underpaid…
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Aug- 2020 -19 AugustCoronavirus
Usdaw leader launches petition to protect retail staff from violence and abuse
Usdaw general secretary Paddy Lillis has today (19 August) launched a House of Commons petition calling on the Government to legislate to protect shopworkers. The trade union said the petition has been launched in response to “continued growing assaults, threats and abuse against shopworkers and the doubling of such incidents…
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7 AugustHigh Street
Usdaw warns business rates increase could risk more jobs
Retail trade union Usdaw has expressed “major concerns” over reports that the government is considering increasing business rates for premises with a rateable value over £51,000. The news comes as reports suggest Rishi Sunak is considering increasing business rates in an effort to boost the UK economy. Instead, Usdaw is…
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Jul- 2020 -16 JulyCoronavirus
Usdaw welcomes compulsory wearing of face coverings in shops
Retail trade union Usdaw has welcomed the mandatory wearing of face coverings in shops, but warns that it can only be effective alongside existing social distancing and hygiene procedures. Earlier this week, wearing a face covering in retail shops and supermarkets was made compulsory from the 24 July. It is…
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10 JulyGovernment
Usdaw ‘disappointed’ PM fails to back shop worker protection law
Retail trade union Usdaw has criticised the prime minister for failing to back a new law to protect shop workers from violence. The trade union has called for a firm commitment from the government to take all available actions to tackle the issue. The news comes as Usdaw revealed one…
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7 JulyEconomy
Usdaw urges chancellor to announce retail recovery plan
Retail trade union Usdaw is calling on the chancellor to announce in Wednesday’s (8 June) economic statement an “urgent recovery plan” for the “struggling retail industry”, which is developed with trade unions and retail employers. Some of the factors, Usdaw is urging the government to cover fundamental business rates, an…
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Jun- 2020 -25 JuneClothing & Shoes
The Very Group to cut 141 roles as part of tech restructure
The Very Group has announced it is set to cut 141 roles from its head office and customer care teams as part of a restructure which will also see around a 100 roles created elsewhere. The only retail group, which operates brands such as Very.co.uk and Littlewoods.co.uk, will further expand…
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