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SHOPWORKERS PROTECTION PETITION
NEWS SPECIAL: USDAW
SHOPWORKERS ABUSE PETITION HITS 50K IN A WEEK
OVER 50,000 PEOPLE SIGNED A PARLIAMENTARY PETITIONSEEKING TO PROTECT RETAIL STAFF FOR ABUSE IN ITSFIRST WEEK.
parliamentary petition that seeks to protect retail staff from violence, threats and abuse has amassed more than 50,000 signatures in a week. Launched by shop workers’ trade union Usdaw, it became the fastest growing petition on the parliamentary website when it passed 10,000 signatures in one day, which means the Government now has to respond.
Under parliamentary regulations, any petition securing 10,000 signatures must be responded to by the Government while any petition signed by more than 100,000 people must be considered for debate in Parliament.
The petition now has nearly 58,000 signatures and Usdaw continues to campaign for the 100,000 signatures that should trigger a parliamentary debate.
The petition is backed by the UK’s largest convenience store retailer Co-op Food, along with trade bodies the British Retail Consortium and the Association of Convenience Stores.
Paddy Lillis, Usdaw General Secretary, said: “We are delighted that the petition has already passed the halfway point of triggering a parliamentary debate. With incidents of abuse doubling during the Covid-19 crisis, they are saying loud and clear that enough is enough, abuse should never be just a part of the job.
“I urge the Government to respond positively to the petition, listen to the voices of shop workers and employers and commit to 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.
“The measures the Government have already agreed are worth trying and we hope that they can make a real difference. However, they would be much more likely to succeed if backed up with new legislation; a simple standalone offence that is widely recognised and understood by the public, police, CPS, the judiciary and most importantly criminals.
“Retail staff have a crucial role in our communities and that role must be valued and respected, they deserve the protection of the law.”
