Usdaw General Secretary Launches Petition Amid Rising Incidents of Assaults on Shopworkers

  • Usdaw general secretary Paddy Lillis launches petition to protect retail staff from violence and abuse
  • Incidents of assaults, threats, and abuse against shopworkers doubled during the coronavirus emergency
  • UK shopworkers were verbally abused, threatened or assaulted every week in 2019, now every fortnight
  • Usdaw survey reveals increase in violence and abuse during pandemic
  • Lillis urges government to legislate for stiffer penalties for those who assault workers

Usdaw general secretary Paddy Lillis has launched a House of Commons petition to protect shopworkers amidst the rising incidents of violence, threats, and abuse they face. The trade union’s move comes in response to a recent survey that found the average UK shopworker faced verbal abuse, threats, or assault every week during the coronavirus emergency, up from every fortnight in 2019. Lillis expressed concern over the unacceptable increase in violence and called for urgent action to protect staff. He urged the government not to dismiss the petition but listen to shopworkers’ voices and legislate for stiffer penalties for those who assault workers. The survey also revealed that measures agreed by the government would be more effective if backed up with new legislation.

Factuality Level: 10
Factuality Justification: The article provides accurate information about the increase in assaults on shopworkers during the pandemic and the launch of a petition to protect them. It includes quotes from Paddy Lillis, the Usdaw general secretary, and presents the issue as a serious concern that requires government action.
Noise Level: 3
Noise Justification: The article provides relevant information about the increase in assaults on shopworkers during the pandemic and calls for legislative action to protect them. It includes quotes from a trade union representative and highlights the need for stronger penalties against those who assault workers. However, it could provide more data or examples to support the issue and explore potential solutions beyond legislation.
Financial Relevance: No
Financial Markets Impacted: No
Financial Rating Justification: The article does not discuss financial topics or events that impact financial markets or companies. It focuses on a petition for the protection of shopworkers and their rights during the pandemic.
Presence Of Extreme Event: No
Nature Of Extreme Event: Other
Impact Rating Of The Extreme Event: Minor
Extreme Rating Justification: There is no extreme event mentioned in the article, but there is a discussion about an increase in violence and abuse towards shopworkers during the pandemic.

Reported publicly: www.retailsector.co.uk