Over 1,000 delegates, visitors and officials from across the UK will be attending to debate and vote on propositions from lay-member branches and statements from Usdaw’s National Executive Council on key issues including:
- Labour’s New Deal for Working people.
- Campaigning for equality and tackling discrimination.
- Health and safety at work.
- A Labour Government that will deliver for our members.
- Workers’ wages and conditions of employment.
Paddy Lillis – Usdaw General Secretary says: “Our Annual Delegate Meeting is effectively the union’s parliament and provides members with the opportunity to raise their issues of concern and make our policy. We have a packed agenda and it is clear that members remain concerned about lingering effects of the cost of living crisis and a Conservative government that is continually failing to help the lowest paid workers make ends meet.
“This is last Usdaw annual conference before the general election and that will be at the forefront of delegates minds. This Government’s record is one of failure and incompetence that has made the lives of Usdaw members harder, with the rising cost of everyday essentials such as food and clothes, piled on top of the sky-high prices of electricity, gas and transport. They are all still feeling the after-effects of the economic chaos the Conservatives created with their so-called ‘mini-budget’, which spiked interest rates, crashed the economy and made mortgages unaffordable.
“The only way to secure real change is to remove this Government and vote for a Labour Government that is on our side, fighting to deliver the policies, pledges and commitments that will make our members’ lives better. Labour is committed to ensuring that a growing economy leads to good quality jobs across the whole of the country and support for our high streets helps to create strong local communities.
“Our member-led, evidence-based campaigns reflect the issues and concerns members have expressed to us about life both at work and at home. Across Usdaw’s campaigns, it is clear how a Labour Government will bring the change our members’ desperately need. We look forward to a lively and informed debate on the core issues affecting the lives of working people and their families.”
Media representatives wishing to attend the conference should contact David Williams, Usdaw’s Media Officer, to arrange accreditation.
Notes for editors:
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is one of the fastest growing unions in the TUC and the UK's fifth biggest trade union with around 360,000 members. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemical industry and other trades
www.usdaw.org.uk
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