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John Hannett combines with trade union general secretaries to call for a vote to REMAIN today - polls open 7am – 10pm

Date: 23 June 2016 Shopworkers trade union leader John Hannett has joined with trade union general secretaries representing millions of workers to call for a vote to REMAIN in today’s EU referendum.
Polls open at 7am today (Thursday 23 June 2016) and close at 10pm. Anyone who doesn’t know where their polling station is can check at: whereivote.labour.org.uk

This morning the following open letter from the UK’s largest trade unions was published:

“Today we face a momentous decision about our country's future. As general secretaries of Britain's trade union movement, it is our firm belief that remaining in the European Union is the best way to protect the job security and rights at work of each and every one of the workers we represent, and to create the job opportunities of the future.

“Between us we represent four million members. They work in manufacturing, they keep our NHS and social care system running, they work in retail, in education, in postal and telecommunications industries, in construction, engineering, transportation and other sectors. Our members are the lifeblood of Britain’s economy.

“The EU needs reforms but it has been vital in securing jobs and protecting rights for every worker in Britain. Those leading the Leave campaign have made clear their intention to “halve the burden” of employment legislation. So we cannot take for granted what we have achieved. Rights like 4 weeks paid leave, maternity rights, and equal pay – without the EU guarantee, a Tory government would be free to strip these rights away, one by one.

“Yes, Europe must change - but we will get that change by voting to remain in the EU today and protecting millions of British jobs and our rights at work.”

John Hannett – Usdaw General Secretary
Len McCluskey (Unite), Dave Prentis (Unison), Tim Roache (GMB), Dave Ward (CWU), Brian Rye (UCATT), Manuel Cortes (TSSA), John Smith (Musicians Union), Gerry Morrissey (BECTU), Roy Rickhuss (Community)
Notes for editors:
 
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK's fourth biggest and the fastest growing trade union with over 440,000 members. Membership has increased by more than 17% in the last five years and by nearly a third in the last decade. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the Union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemicals and other trades.
 
For Usdaw press releases visit: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Twitter @UsdawUnion

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