• SEASONS greetings to readers. For many this is always an exciting time, but it can be frantic trying to get everything ready for the big day.

I ask readers to remember shopworkers are people as well. They will be working really hard to make your shopping experience as stress-free and enjoyable as possible.

A recent Usdaw survey shows that every minute of every day a shopworker is verbally abused, threatened with violence or attacked. Shopworkers tell us that incidents are more frequent throughout the Christmas and new year period.

Many will go home after a shift upset about an unpleasant incident that took place and worried it will happen to them again. That is why we are running a Respect for Shopworkers campaign, asking customers to “Keep your Cool at Christmas”.

PADDY LILLIS
General Secretary,
Union of Shop, Distributive & Allied Workers