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Shopworkers trade union leader makes the case to remain in the EU on the eve of poll

Date: 22 June 2016 Shopworkers trade union leader John Hannett is calling for a vote to remain tomorrow, as the country goes to the polls in the EU referendum.
John Hannett – Usdaw General Secretary says: “To prosper, the UK needs a growing economy that protects employment rights. This is best achieved by ensuring we can trade with, influence and benefit from being in one of the world's largest trading blocs.
 
“Social Europe has delivered core employment rights that Usdaw members rely on, such as: Paid holiday leave and proper rest breaks; safeguards against discrimination; equal treatment for part-time workers; information and consultation in the workplace; TUPE rights for transferring workers, and important health and safety protections.
 
“Leaving the EU risks these protections being dismantled by a UK Conservative Government, as they have done with so many other rights not protected by Europe. Remaining in the EU is fundamental to Usdaw campaigns to protect and improve employment rights.
 
“The European Union is an international organisation which we should be engaging with and not withdrawing from. We need to lead not leave. Worker’s rights, jobs and our place in the world are the three main reasons why I am urging our members to vote to remain in the European Union.”
 
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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The official website of the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers