Mike backs shopworkers call for respect

Swansea East AM Mike Hedges has thrown his support behind USDAW’s annual “Respect for Shopworkers” campaign, which aims to remind customers to ‘Keep Your Cool at Christmas’ – a time when incidents of violence and abuse against shopworkers tend to increase.

This year’s campaign is focused on the need for a stronger law to protect shopworkers against violence and abuse. The trade union USDAW, which represents shopworkers, is also highlighting the under-reporting of attacks with 1 in 6 not being reported by shopworkers to management or the police.

Earlier this week, the Swansea AM met with USDAW activists at the Morriston store in Morfa to urge customers and members of the public to back a change in the law to provide stiffer sentences for those who assault shopworkers serving the public.

Commenting on the campaign, local AM Mike Hedges said:

“It’s wrong that shopworkers face abuse and violence while doing their utmost to serve the public.

“This campaign, which I’m delighted to support, will highlight to shoppers the problems shopworkers can face, particularly in the run up to Christmas, when customers are stressed, stores are really busy and sometimes tempers get frayed.

“It’s important that we all keep our cool at Christmas and show shopworkers the respect they deserve.”

Usdaw Divisional Officer Nick Ireland said:

“It’s a sad fact that every minute of every day a shopworker somewhere is assaulted, threatened or abused. Respect for Shopworkers Week is a great opportunity for retail staff to talk to the public about these problems and seek their support in saying that there is never an excuse for attacks on them. It is always encouraging to see how many Assembly Members back our campaign.”