20 West Midlands shopworkers are assaulted every day – an Usdaw survey says

Date: 22 April 2015Shopworkers trade union leader John Hannett has today released survey results which show that last year, on average, 20 shopworkers were assaulted every day in the West Midlands region. 

The survey also reveals that 31.5% of shopworkers were threatened by customers and over half were verbally abused. 

John Hannett – Usdaw General Secretary says: “Our survey shows that life on the frontline of retail can be pretty tough for many shopworkers and there is still a lot to do to help protect them.  So we welcome Labour’s manifesto commitment to ensure staff who work with the public are given greater protection, with tougher penalties for those who assault them. 

“We launched our Freedom From Fear Campaign in the face of growing concerns amongst retail workers about violence, threats and abuse.  The campaign works with retailers to promote respect and make workplaces safer for staff and customers alike. 

“All too often criminals who assault staff are not even sent to court, and those who are can receive derisory sentences.  In other cases, where the offender often isn’t charged at all victims are left feeling that no one cares that they were assaulted. 

“Retail crime remains too high and there needs to be action to protect shopworkers.  On four occasions in the current Parliament, Conservative and Liberal Democrat MPs combined to defeat Labour amendments to legislation that would have provided stiffer penalties for those who assault shopworkers. 

“It is time for the Government to act and the record shows that a Labour Government will deliver.  Retail staff have a crucial role in our communities and that role must be valued and respected.” 

Yvette Cooper – Shadow Home Secretary says: “I’m a big supporter of Usdaw’s Freedom From Fear campaign, raising awareness and ways to make people feel safer at work.  I can assure everyone that a Labour Government will make sure staff working with the public get greater protection from attacks, with tougher penalties for criminals. 

“Labour proposed this measure in the last Parliament on four occasions, but Conservative and Lib Dem MPs voted against us.  So the choice is clear, for workers to get additional protection from violence, threats and abuse at work they will need to vote Labour.” 

Notes for editors:

Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK's fourth biggest and the fastest growing trade union with over 433,000 members.  Membership has increased by more than 17% in the last five years and by nearly a third in the last decade.  Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the Union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemicals and other trades. 

Usdaw’s survey of shopworkers in the West Midlands was conducted by telephone in November and asked participants about their experiences over the past twelve months.  The results were: