CSG Social distancing 2

Usdaw received an increase in calls from its members over the Easter weekend

  • Some shoppers have started to show resentment at queueing outside shops

  • The union is urging the public to treat shopworkers “with the respect they deserve”

 

Shoppers up and down the country grew more abusive and resistant to social distancing measures over the Easter weekend, according to the shopworkers union.

Usdaw general secretary Paddy Lillis called on the public to take special care to follow government guidance when making essential trips to the supermarket.

The union said it had received an increase in calls from its members over the long weekend as some shoppers started to show resentment at queueing outside shops.

“Shopworkers and their colleagues in the retail food supply chain are on the frontline of feeding the country during the current crisis,” Lillis said.

“They are providing an essential service in very difficult circumstances, working long hours in busy stores, facing abuse from customers and of course concerned they may contract Covid-19.

“The safety of our members is absolutely paramount, but they tell us that some of the shopping public are resisting social distancing measures in stores and can become abusive when asked to queue and maintain a two-metre gap. Our message to the public is there is no excuse for abusing shopworkers, please treat our members with the respect they deserve.”

Usdaw is urging customers to help retail workers by:

  • Treating shopworkers with courtesy and respect
  • Washing hands before shopping and using any sanitising facility provided in the store entrance
  • Only buying what is needed in as few visits as possible
  • Maintaining physical distance, following in-store safety measures
  • Avoiding using cash and paying by card or with contactless, whenever possible
  • Shopping alone and not in family groups, wherever possible
  • Not going to the shops first thing in the morning unless “absolutely necessary, there is plenty of stock throughout the day”

Lillis said shops were the cornerstone of communities and Usdaw continued to work with retailers to improve health and safety for staff, particularly those dealing directly with the public.

“We also call on customers to stay calm, respect shopworkers and practise the necessary hygiene measures to help limit the spread of the virus. We all have to work together to get through this crisis.”

Usdaw is the UK’s fifth biggest trade union with more than 400,000 members, most of which work in the retail sector.

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