Dr Hywel Francis MP Supports Respect for Shopworkers Campaign
29th March 2007
Aberavon MP, Dr Hywel Francis, has recently visited the Tesco store in Port Talbot to view the new posters in store to promote respect for shopworkers.
The signs say: "Our staff and customers have the right to be treated with respect. To provide a safe environment we will not tolerate violent or abusive behaviour in our stores. Thank you for your support."
The signs are a joint initiative between Tesco and the shopworkers' trade union Usdaw.
Dr Francis said,
"I very much support the work that Usdaw and Tesco are doing to promote respect in the stores. It is very important that shoppers understand that shopworkers are real people and should be treated with respect."
"Violence, threats and abuse at work are major problems for all workers who deal with the general public. I think this example of a trade union and an employer working together to overcome this problem is something to be commended."
Usdaw General Secretary John Hannett said,
"We very much welcome the support of Dr Hywel Francis MP for this initiative. We have worked hard with Tesco to ensure that stores are safe and comfortable environments for shopworkers and shoppers alike."
"Tesco is a company that takes these matters seriously and works with us to ensure the safety of their staff. This is not the case with all retailers. In a survey of our members 36% said they faced verbal abuse on a daily basis."
Tesco Executive Director, Lucy Neville-Rolf, said,
"The health and safety of our customers and staff is an important concern of ours. We are keen to foster an atmosphere of respect in our stores and these posters make that clear."
"We are delighted that Dr Hywel Francis MP could visit the store and help us promote this policy and our joint working with Usdaw."
