Sussex Shopworkers Nazi Saluted, Threatened And Assaulted During Pandemic

Thursday, 11 March 2021 11:25

By Charlotte Baker @Ch4rtweets

Shopworkers in Sussex have spoken out about increased abuse during the pandemic as part of a new campaign by the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (Usdaw).

The retail trade union is calling for legislation to protect retail staff after releasing new statistics on Thursday (March 10).

According to a survey of 2,729 shopworkers across the UK last year (2020), 79% of shopworkers think abuse has gotten worse during the pandemic.

In Sussex, shopworkers have reported being assaulted by shoplifters, sworn at, Nazi saluted and backed into a corner by a customer.

The final results of Usdaw's survery across the UK found that:

88% experienced verbal abuse,
60% were threatened by a customer,
9% were assaulted.

Elsewhere in the South East, workers have had items thrown at them, been spat at, verbally abused, pushed over and shouted at.

Paddy Lillis – Usdaw General Secretary said:

“It is heart-breaking to hear these testimonies from South East shopworkers who deserve far more respect than they receive. Our latest survey results clearly show the scale of the appalling violence, threats and abuse faced by shopworkers and demonstrate the need for a ‘protection of shopworkers’ law. It has been a terrible year for our members, with almost 90% of shopworkers suffering abuse, two-thirds threatened and one in ten assaulted.

“We are saying loud and clear that enough is enough, abuse should never be part of the job. At a time when we should all be working together to get through this crisis, it is a disgrace that staff working to keep food on the shelves and the shop safe for customers are being abused. Action to protect shop workers is needed.

“The UK Government has persistently opposed new legislation, offering little more than sympathy and objecting to the Alex Norris protection of shopworkers bill in the House of Commons. We are now looking for MPs to support key workers across the retail sector and help turn around the UK Government’s opposition.”

Late last year, the influential House of Commons Home Affairs Select Committee launched an inquiry into the issue the day after Usdaw secured over 100,000 signatures on a ‘protect shopworkers’ petition.

In January, the Scottish Parliament unanimously voted for a ground-breaking new law to protect shopworkers.

In February, 66 senior retail leaders wrote to the Prime Minister urging the Government to create a new statutory offence of assaulting, threatening, or abusing a retail worker