Tim Young leader of The Labour Group on Colchester Borough Council reports “I was delighted to support the trade union USDAW’s local ‘Freedom From Fear’ campaign last week (11 July) which supports and protects shopworkers from violence and abus".

“I accepted the invitation from the trade union representatives at Tesco at The Hythe to join them at their campaign day which, this year, was labelled ‘It’s your store, respect it’”.   

“I heard from the workers about the abuse they have to put up with on a daily basis from people which includes verbal insults, threats and, in the worst cases, physical violence – this behaviour is against mainly low-paid employees who are doing their best to serve the public and give good customer service.  It needs to be publicised and prevented and USDAW deserves credit for highlighting the issue.” 

“I was then also pleased to be able to move a motion at the Full Council meeting on 18 July expressing Colchester Borough Council’s support for the campaign, commending the Hythe Tesco workers and registering the local authority’s backing to protect shopworkers and, indeed, all public sector workers against violence and abuse. I was very grateful to receive support for the motion from all parties on the council which was carried unanimously.”   

“Let’s hope this publicity and the work local groups are doing will lead to a massive decrease and the eventual elimination of this type of treatment suffered by people only trying to do their jobs.”   

For further information on this campaign please contact Tim Directly at tim.young@colchester.gov.uk