Issues facing retail staff & managers

It was good to speak to Usdaw members at  Tesco again today.  They were pleased that extended Sunday trading hours were coming to an end this weekend but were fearful that the government will now try to push legislation through to permanently extend Sunday trading laws.

I heard from them how working in retail involves increasingly unsociable hours and the effects upon family life.  Sunday is the one day in the week, with children off school, that could be counted on to not have to work as long.

The previous Labour government voted to retain reduced working hours on a Sunday and I am against any suggestion that the Conservative led government should change the law.  I want to keep Sunday special.  Not just for employees but for everyone.  We must retain our culture that on a Sunday, people have more of a chance to do the things that we do not have the time to do during the rest of the week.  Whether it's family time, leisure, catching up on jobs at home or even having time to put your feet up.  I do not want to see the success of the Olympics used to undermine the value of what Sunday means to us as a country.

There were familiar stories about the cost of living going up and the struggle to keep heads above water and we discussed the benefit of reducing VAT for working people, income that does not go into savings but is spent on essentials.  Not only helping our pocket but crucial to stimulating the economy.  The government must take action against the cost of living and this would be an immediate and effective way of doing so.

In addition to speaking to staff it was good to hear from Alistair the Store Manager and Cath, Deputy Manager about the challenges for supermarkets during the downturn.  Getting people to part with their money is more challenging than ever with cheaper brand sales up and non food products down, as people cut back on the food bill.  High levels of customer service is key to keeping loyal customers and the improvements to the store are good to see, new signage, trolley parks etc.

We had a robust conversation on the rise of 4 hour contracts which prove profitable for the employer, maximising flexibility.  I made the point that for employees who have bills to pay, it can be far from ideal only being contracted for such a small number of hours, when the overtime is not available the bills still have to be paid.  I know many people who have more than one job as a way around this and of course this reduces the flexibility that employers are looking for.  There is a place for short hours, but I am concerned at the trend towards them that many employers are embracing.

Tesco remains to be one of the largest employers in the town with loyal staff and low staff turnover.  As their staff are their best asset I hope they continue with good rates of pay and measures such as staff shares, so that staff can benefit from the success of the company - of which they are the back bone.

It was a very insightful visit and I look forward to visiting again soon.

Trust Must Come Clean

Rebecca Blake, Redditch Labour Parliamentary Spokesperson was stunned to learn that Worcestershire Acute Trust will be submitting a planning application for a temporary unit to support Accident and Emergency at Worcester Royal.

Apparently the unit will act as an assessment unit to deal with the winter pressure on A&E at Worcester Royal.

Rebecca said "This is either a clear acknowledgement that there is not enough capacity in the system to adequately care for the number of people who need A&E in Worcestershire or despite having reassured people that no decision has been made, is Worcester Royal preparing to take on more patients once the Alex A&E is closed?"

"I am stunned that plans to effectively extend A&E in Worcester are underway, given the Trust are yet to fully consult with local people.  The Trust must come clean about their intentions".

There have been repeated calls across the county for these cuts to be scrapped including weeks ago when Rebecca met with the Chief Executive of WAHT and an A&E consultant.   Over 50,000 people have signed the Save the Alex petition to retain services, however, today's news appears to be more evidence that despite people speaking up loud and clear for the Alex, decision makers are not listening to the views of local people.

"Our young people are our future, they get one shot at school and there is more that can be done to give them the best start".

At this significant point in our young people's lives it was important to me to speak with pupils who had just completed their GCSE's.

 

This morning I spoke with Chloe, Ellie & Megan from Kingsley and this afternoon, Kara, Rosie, Anna, Louise & Harry from Trinity.

First off, congratulations to all of them who achieved fantastic results. Everyone of them have worked hard to get to the next step, which for them is A-levels.

All of them had a number of things in common, including determination to succeed, aspirations for the future and bags of optimism.

As well as education, we discussed  a number of things including work and the challenges for them in finding a part time job, essential for some in order to start saving towards university.

For some the desire was strong to go to University and for others the jury was still out.  While I was impressed to hear their ideas of how to get around the hike in tuition fees, looking at nursing, studying abroad and the forces, I am deeply concerned about the impact upon our young people and their ability to gain a degree given the current cost of university education.

We hear a lot about the UK not equipping school pupils with the skill set to compete globally.  It is clear to me, that these articulate, bright and driven young people here in Redditch have huge potential and it is the least Government can do to provide an infrastructure for them to flourish. 

This needs to be from conception.  Quality health services, access to Sure Start and emphasis not only upon intellectual development but, emotional, social and physical well being.  Driving up functional skills, not stifling aspiration.  Schools working with colleges, universities and employers so that every child can fulfil their potential.

Practical measures such as a reinstatement of Educational Maintenance Allowance to support more young people going into higher education, reducing tuition fees and stimulating the economy, creating more jobs - action that can and should be taken.  I urge the government to act now, to tackle the 1 million unemployed 19 - 24 year olds so that we do not lose another generation as we did in the 80's.

Young people are our future, they get one shot at school and there is more that can be done to give them the best start.