Usdaw report calls for better pay and new economic framework for retail sector

Shop workers’ trade union Usdaw has on Sunday launched a new report on the state of the retail industry, offering a blueprint for how it can be turned around.

The report was launched at a fringe meeting, as part of the annual Labour conference in Liverpool. Chaired by Usdaw president Jane Jones, delegates heard contributions from British Retail Consortium (BRC) chief executive Helen Dickinson, Co-op Party general secretary Joe Fortune and Usdaw general secretary Paddy Lillis.

The Usdaw report is calling for a plan for the future of retail work based on the following measures:

• Better pay and secure work.
• A new economic framework to support growth and drive investment in good quality retail jobs.
• Retraining and upskilling with a focus on new technology, automation and the transition to net-zero.
• Fair treatment and equality for all retail workers.
• Stronger protections for retail workers, supported by their trade union.

The report asks the government to set the Low Pay Commission a target of a minimum wage of £15 per hour as soon as possible and include improvements to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) and Respect for Shopworkers through ‘Protection of Workers’ legislation.

The new economic framework includes tackling business rates and the lack of parity between online and physical retailers to help support investment and growth across the industry and deliver greater job security.

The report calls for the reintroduction of the Union Learning Fund, alongside the introduction of a legal right to paid time off for retraining. It also suggests the transformation of the Apprenticeship Levy into a Growth and Skills Levy.

Addressing the fringe meeting, Paddy Lillis, Usdaw general secretary, said: “It's clear that significant challenges lie ahead for the retail sector, that's why I'm so proud to launch this report this evening. Something that not only identifies the issues affecting the sector, but sets out a programme of solutions that will benefit workers, communities and our economy.

“This isn't just about doing what is right for retail workers, it's about helping to deliver Labour's mission to rebuild Britian and kick start economic growth, because retail has huge economic potential. To unlock this potential, retail needs to be at the heart of the government's industrial strategy.”

Helen Dickinson, BRC chief executive, said: “It was a joy to read the new government’s manifesto, because there were so many things in there that have been so important to retail over the last few years. We have commitments to reform business rates, reform the apprenticeship levy and most significantly for the people who work in retail a doubling down on the epidemic of crime, shoplifting, violence and abuse.

“We called our manifesto for retail ‘the everywhere economy’ and it has exactly the same messages as Usdaw’s ‘retail at the heart of our communities’ report, which underpin what we say and this report highlights. The fact is that retail has a presence in every single community and we are the largest private sector employer. With the right policy, regulatory landscape and tax regime the contribution of the industry can be so much greater. The reach and the scale of retail means that it can help the new Government achieve their aims.”

Joe Fortune, Co-op Party general secretary, said:“It’s great see Usdaw’s strong support in the report for diverse ownership within retail. It’s clear to us in the Co-operative movement that a focus on one type of ownership isn’t working. It’s clear to us that what we need in our communities is much more diverse ownership models. We think there is an opportunity for co-operative and mutual growth on our high streets and we are ambitious for that growth.

“It’s good that the new Government is calling for and committed to doubling the size of the co-operative sector, which was in their manifesto. That is important to retail and communities because they will bring back life and people back to high streets to support retail. Allied to that is the community right to own, which will bring back assets to make hight streets thriving. We welcome that Usdaw is so supportive of our work and ambitions, as set out in the report.”