PROTECTION OF SHOP WORKERS

Early day motion 599, tabled 26 October 2015 by Ann Coffey (Labour). Signed by 61 members.

That this House congratulates the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (Usdaw) for its ongoing Freedom from Fear campaign, which seeks to prevent violence, threats and abuse against shopworkers; notes with regret the chaotic and angry events of last year's Black Friday sales which resulted in shopworkers and members of the public being assaulted, threatened and abused, and in many instances the police had to be called and some stores had to close their doors because they were unable to cope; further notes with regret that more than 300 shopworkers are assaulted every day simply for doing their job; and urges all hon. Members to support the annual Respect for Shopworkers' Week, which runs from 9 to 13 November 2015, to remind the public that shopworkers provide a service and deserve to be able to go about their jobs free from fear of abuse.

Signatures by party: Labour 26, Scottish National Party 19, DUP 4, Labour/Co-operative 3, Independent 2, Plaid Cymru 2, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2, Conservative 1, Green 1, Liberal Democrat 1.