Nick Ireland – Usdaw Divisional Officer says: “This appalling pandemic continues wreak havoc on the nation’s health and economy. We totally understand why the Welsh Government has announced a two-week national ‘firebreak’, given the rising number of infections.

“The closure of non-essential retail is going to be difficult for many retailers who were already struggling and trying to recover from the first lockdown, with reduced footfall on our high streets. The fixed period of this lockdown and the guarantee it won’t be extended provides some certainty and allows retailers to plan for their reopening.

“We are working with employers to secure jobs and incomes, seeking to ensure that staff are dealt with appropriately through this short lockdown. Any Usdaw member with concerns should contact their union rep for advice and support.”

Notes for editors:
 
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK's fifth biggest trade union with over 400,000 members. Membership has increased by more than one-third over the last couple of decades. 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