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The British Retail Consortium (BRC) supports USDAW's Freedom From Fear campaign. The employers' association participated in yesterday's Respect for Shopworkers Day, which included discussions with UK Prime Minister Tony Blair on how the Government can help to address the growing problem of violence against staff.

In a statement, BRC tells that major retailers, including the Co-op, Argos, Sainsbury's, Woolworth's, Safeway and Littlewoods, will be playing a crucial role in promoting this campaign through advertising, best practice and staff involvement.

In 2002 18 staff per 1000 were subject to threats of violence, an increase of 260% on 2001 figures. Violence against shopworkers has shown a rising trend since the mid-90s.

"The industry and its union are united in campaigning"

Bill Moyes, Director General of the BRC, said, that "the BRC's retail crime survey has highlighted the link between drugs/drink and violence. This must be tackled as a social problem impacting on the community as a whole."

"As a sector employing almost 3 million people, the retail industry is committed to protecting and supporting shopworkers in the work place, Moyes added. - This is why the industry and its union are united in campaigning for support to fight retail crime."

Retailers are relieved that at last the Prime Minister himself has recognised the importance of threat to our communities through the increase of violence in our shops and stores. The BRC will be keeping the pressure on Government to deal with this important issue as a key step in ensuring safer streets and safer shopping".

Broad support from the British trade union movement

USDAW is getting strong support also from other parts of the British trade union movement. At the recent congress of TUC, the British trade union confederation, the union's deputy general secretary John Hannett told delegates that the seven million TUC members have a crucial role to play in making the shops safe:

"On September 17, we want to see the UK say no to violence and abuse against shopworkers. We're all customers, and many of us will have friends and relatives in the sector which employs around 2.7 million people. These workers deserve our respect. they provide a fantastic service and perform a valuable role in the community", John Hannett said.

USDAW has received messages of support from a large number of British trade unions, committing themselves to supporting the Freedom From Fear campaign.

European dimension is emerging

Also on the European level, the social partners are cooperating to defend shopworkers security and dignity. At their last social dialogue session in Brussels on 10 September, UNI-Europa Commerce and EuroCommerce agreed to start planning a joint project, which would lay the basis for Europe-wide action. They have also included the British Freedom From Fear campaign prominently in the programme of a major conference on Corporate Social Responsibility, to be held together with the European Commission, in Brussels on 4 - 5 November.