COVID-19
VACCINATION PRIORITISATION USDAW
USDAW: ‘PRIORITISE RETAILERS FOR VACCINE’ SHOPWORKERS TRADE UNION USDAW HAS WRITTEN TO SECRETARY OF STATE FOR HEALTH MATT HANCOCK DEMANDING URGENT PRIORITISATION OF VACCINATION FOR RETAILERS.
R
etail trade union Usdaw has formally written to health and business ministers, including Secretary of State for Health Matt Hancock, calling for urgent Government intervention to protect key workers in the essential service of food retailing, as the rate of Covid infections continues to grow. Usdaw is calling for the Government to ensure that frontline retail staff are prioritised for vaccination and Covid testing, along with full pay and support
for those who are ill, self-isolating or shielding. The union is also urging retailers to reinstate and reinforce necessary safety measures in shops and for customers to follow the rules, while giving shopworkers the respect they deserve. Paddy Lillis, Usdaw General Secretary, says: “Retail staff are working with the public every day and are not only suffering increased abuse, but are also deeply worried about catching Covid-19. That must be taken into
account by the Government when assessing risk levels and priority for vaccines and testing. “We are calling on the Government to ensure that retail workers and delivery drivers are given priority, because they provide the essential service of keeping the nation fed. We are also looking for support from the Government, retail employers and the shopping public to help make food stores and deliveries as safe as possible for customers and staff alike.”
WEDNESDAY 6TH JANUARY 2021 / ISSUE 37 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 11
