South Wales Echo Letter – Keep your Cool at Christmas

USDAW (Union of Shop Workers, Distributive and Allied Workers) recently launched its annual Freedom from Fear campaign. The aim of the campaign is to prevent abuse and violent attacks against shopworkers during the busy run-up to Christmas and the New Year. The campaign urges shoppers to Keep your Cool at Christmas.

Figures reveal that in the last 12 months over two-thirds of shopworkers were verbally abused, 42% were threatened and around 265 were assaulted every day. These are significant increases on last year’s survey. The level of violence and abuse faced by shopworkers is shocking and unacceptable. People who provide a service to the public deserve to be able to go about their jobs without the fear of abuse.

That is why I am supporting USDAW’s campaign. Last week I visited Tesco, in Pengam Green, and Ikea, in Grangetown, to talk to workers about their experiences and highlight this serious issue.

Retailers and their staff provide a tremendous service, especially in the run-up to Christmas, when demand is very high and stores are busy. Shopworkers deserve respect and they have my full support.

If you would like to find out more about this and other USDAW campaigns visit www.usdaw.org.uk.

Vaughan Gething AM

Cardiff South and Penarth