Shopworkers union Usdaw has written to new First Minister Humza Yousaf calling on him to support job security, better pay, and fair working conditions.
Usdaw represents more than 37,000 members in Scotland, in sectors including retail, distribution, road transport, food manufacturing, which are essential to Scotland’s economic success.
Paddy Lillis, Usdaw General Secretary, said: “The cost-of-living crisis is, unsurprisingly, the foremost current concern for many Usdaw members. Our most recent survey found that one in five retail and distribution workers were missing meals every month to pay their everyday bills. Low paid workers with insecure contracts are being hit hardest by this crisis, and it is therefore having a disproportionate impact on women, Black workers and disabled workers across Scotland.
“Now, more than ever, it is essential for the Scottish government to take meaningful action to support fair work across Scotland and we urge the new First Minister to make this a priority. With RPI inflation rising to 13.8% last month, it is clear that the cost of living crisis is far from over. We are calling on the Scottish government to extend the rent increase cap beyond 1 April, protect renters from eviction, and take all possible steps to get essential living costs back under control.”
Tracy Gilbert, Usdaw Regional Secretary for Scotland, added: “Usdaw has been closely involved in the Scottish government’s industry leadership group for retail and I chair the working group that is developing a fair work agreement for retail. We hope that the Scottish government will continue to engage with workers and employers to deliver their fair work agenda across all sectors in Scotland, including retail. We are clear that our members need more than warm words, they need decisive action from the Scottish government to give workers a better deal.”
