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- 2020 -31 MarchHigh Street
Poundland to temporarily close 32 UK stores amid Covid-19 outbreak
Discount retailer Poundland has announced the temporary closure of 32 of its stores amid the Covid-19 virus outbreak, resulting in staff receiving 80% of their average earnings due to the government’s Jobs Retention Scheme. Shop workers’ trade union Usdaw said the retailer is asking employees to voluntarily agree to be…
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Feb- 2020 -17 FebruaryHigh Street
West country vacancy rates hits double-digits in 2020
The west country has seen the largest increase in retail vacancy rates in the UK, rising from 9.6% in 2016 to 11.2% in 2020, according to new data from Usdaw. The trade union said in the past decade the number of people visiting high streets in the west country dropped…
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Jan- 2020 -13 JanuarySupermarkets
Asda cost cuts to put 2,832 back-office jobs at risk
Nearly 3,000 Asda employees are reportedly at risk of losing their jobs, according to new reports. According to The Guardian, 2,832 back-office jobs may potentially be at risk in the latest cost-cutting move from the supermarket giant. The newspaper claims to have learned that consultations are afoot with employees in…
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Nov- 2019 -29 NovemberHigh Street
‘Please respect shopworkers’, says USDAW
The trade union leader of Usdaw has urged shoppers to “keep their cool” this Black Friday. The Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers also announced its support of Labour’s manifesto, that states the party will ensure that “public-facing workers are protected by toughening the law against abuse and violence”.…
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12 NovemberHigh Street
Retail staff ‘abused or assaulted’ over 21 times a year, says Usdaw
An average shop worker is verbally abused, threatened or assaulted more than 21 times a year, according to a new report by trade union Usdaw. It said while not all shopworkers “suffer to this extent”, some experience much higher levels of abuse, threats and violence, and interim results from Usdaw’s…
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Sep- 2019 -11 SeptemberHigh Street
Labour pledges £10 minimum wage for all workers over 16
Jeremey Corbyn has pledged a £10 an hour minimum wage for all workers over 16 if his party is elected to government. In a speech delivered to the Trades Union Congress (TUC) in Brighton, Corbyn said Labour would also deliver action on the gender pay gap, equal rights for all…
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Aug- 2019 -5 AugustSupermarkets
Asda staff to protest over ‘punitive’ contracts
Workers at Asda are set to protest over new contracts which have been deemed as “punitive” by trade union GMB Union. The Union, who represent the supermarket employees, has arranged a protest which will take place in Leeds on 14 August against the contract six proposals. The contract will see…
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Jul- 2019 -16 JulySupermarkets
Sainsbury’s Waltham Point warehouse staff set for second strike
Sainsbury’s warehouse staff at Waltham Point are set to go on strike for the second time later this month following a dispute over an attendance scheme. Staff at the ‘Big Four’ grocer’s distribution centre in Essex will take part in a second round of 24-hour strike action on Thursday, 25…
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Jun- 2019 -21 JuneHigh Street
Usdaw to protest at Boohoo AGM
Retail trade union The Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (Usdaw) is set to protest Boohoo’s AGM today, (21 June) over the company’s refusal to meet over ethical trading. The protest will take place at Boohoo’s HQ on Dale Street in Manchester, and at its AGM on Hardman Square,…
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7 JuneOnline & Digital
Boohoo faces Commons pressure over Usdaw meeting refusal
Online fashion retailer Boohoo, is coming under pressure from chairman of the Environmental Audit Committee MP Mary Creagh, as it again refused to meet for talks around its ethical trading standards. The Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (Usdaw) is the fifth largest trade union in the UK with…
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