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UNI Commerce - USDAW Freedom From Fear Campaign

From Downing Street to high streets up and down the country, Usdaw's National Respect for Shopworkers Day was a huge success - and ensured our Freedom From Fear campaign reached the top of the news and political agendas.

"The public is now more aware of the issue of violence and abuse towards shopworkers", says Usdaw deputy general secretary John Hannett. John will present the campaign to a broader European audience at a conference on corporate social responsibility in Brussels on 4 - 5 November. The Brussels conference will bring together 150 commerce employers and trade unionists. It is part of the European social dialogue between UNI-Europa Commerce and EuroCommerce.

A busy day of events took place across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland on 17th September, putting our campaign firmly in the spotlight. A glance at just some of the highlights speaks volumes:

• Stalls and events were held in over 100 towns and cities.

• Over 100 national and regional TV, radio and newspaper interviews were carried out by Usdaw staff and members.

• 50 MPs attended a campaign briefing in London.

• Prime Minister Tony Blair met reps and victims of retail crime at 10 Downing Street.

• Home Secretary David Blunkett attended the first official function of Respect Day at a Co-op Welcome store in central London.

• A specially-commissioned campaign CD got its official launch at Westminster.

• Early indications show that Respect Day has resulted in the highest number of visitors to the Usdaw web site in any single day since the site was launched at the end of April.
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"An astounding success"

"The day was an astounding success," said Usdaw Deputy General Secretary John Hannett. "There is no doubt that the public is now more aware of the issue of violence and abuse towards shopworkers. We will seize this initiative and build from it to make sure the retail workplace is a safe place to work."

Usdaw, the premier union in the retail sector, organised the National Respect for Shopworkers Day in response to a disturbing trend in retail crime statistics. National Respect for Shopworkers Day was the first of its kind, raising awareness of this important issue.

The day got under way in London at BBC Broadcasting House with John Hannett doing 11 back-to-back regional radio station interviews.

Violence and abuse will not be tolerated

John Hannett then sped off to a Co-op Welcome store in Camberwell, where Home Secretary David Blunkett unveiled a special notice stating that violence and abuse will not be tolerated. These notices will be displayed in all 3,000 Co-operative Group stores. Similar posters were also displayed across the UK by Sainsbury, Safeway, Kwik Save, Somerfield, Littlewoods, TJ Hughes and many local Co-op societies.

Fifty Usdaw reps took to Oxford Street, handing out leaflets, petitions and balloons to shoppers in the capital. Meanwhile, at over 100 locations across the country, Usdaw officials and activists staffed stalls to bring greater local awareness to the campaign.

Later, 50 MPs and union officials attended a Westminster briefing, with Usdaw General Secretary Sir Bill Connor. This was followed by a meeting with Tony Blair at 10 Downing Street, who listened to the stories of five Usdaw members, all victims of violent attacks or abuse in the workplace.

Philip Jennings, UNI general secretary, participated in the London events and in  the meeting with Prime Minister Tony Blair.