Trade Union
Trade unions play a pivotal role in representing workers across the jewellery industry, from manufacturing and bench work to retail and distribution. At Jewellery Focus, we report on union activity that affects the sector — including industrial disputes, collective bargaining developments, wage negotiations, workplace safety campaigns, and regulatory changes involving employment rights. Our coverage helps business owners, HR professionals, and operational leaders understand the implications of union actions on staffing, compliance, and day-to-day operations, ensuring they remain responsive to workforce concerns and aligned with evolving labour standards.
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Aug- 2020 -19 AugustRetailers
Usdaw leader launches petition to protect retail staff from violence and abuse
Usdaw general secretary Paddy Lillis has today (19 August) launched a House of Commons petition calling on the Government to legislate to protect shopworkers. The trade union said the petition has been launched in response to “continued growing assaults, threats and abuse against shopworkers and the doubling of such incidents…
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10 AugustRetailers
Usdaw calls for the public to support NI shopworkers
Retail trade union Usdaw is reminding shoppers that the wearing of face coverings is mandatory from today (10 August) in shops and shopping centres in Northern Ireland. Usdaw asks shoppers to follow the law and help protect shopworkers and other customers by wearing a face covering, while following existing social…
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7 AugustRetailers
Usdaw warns business rates increase could risk more jobs
Retail trade union Usdaw has expressed “major concerns” over reports that the government is considering increasing business rates for premises with a rateable value over £51,000. The news comes as reports suggest Rishi Sunak is considering increasing business rates in an effort to boost the UK economy. Instead, Usdaw is…
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Jul- 2020 -29 JulyRetailers
Usdaw urges public to support shopworkers
Retail trade union Usdaw is urging shoppers to follow the law and help to protect shopworkers and other customers by wearing a face covering, while following existing social distancing and hygiene procedures. The union said shopworkers are “not responsible” for enforcing the law, and abuse should not be part of…
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16 JulyRetailers
Usdaw welcomes compulsory wearing of face coverings in shops
Retail trade union Usdaw has welcomed the mandatory wearing of face coverings in shops, but warns that it can only be effective alongside existing social distancing and hygiene procedures. Earlier this week wearing a face covering in retail shops and supermarkets will be made compulsory from the 24 July. It…
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10 JulyRetailers
Usdaw ‘disappointed’ PM fails to back shop worker protection law
Retail trade union Usdaw has criticised the prime minister for failing to back a new law to protect shop workers from violence. The trade union has called for a firm commitment from the government to take all available actions to tackle the issue. The news comes as Usdaw revealed one…
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7 JulyEconomy
Usdaw urges chancellor to announce retail recovery plan
Retail trade union Usdaw is calling on the chancellor to announce in Wednesday’s (8 June) economic statement an “urgent recovery plan” for the “struggling retail industry”, which is developed with trade unions and retail employers. Some of the factors, Usdaw is urging the government to cover fundamental business rates, an…
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3 JulyRetailers
Face masks in Scottish shops mandatory from 10 July
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed that shoppers will be required to wear face masks from 10 July. Last week, we reported that retailers in Scotland were being asked to display a poster at their entrance requesting shoppers to wear face coverings. However, wearing face masks in shops has…
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1 JulyRetailers
Usdaw calls on government to consider new deal for retail workers
Retail trade union Usdaw is marking 100 days of lockdown by calling for a new deal for workers, after the coronavirus emergency has shown that “millions of low-paid” and “undervalued workers” have “stepped up in the most difficult of circumstances”. Usdaw said workers in retail, manufacturing, distribution and home delivery…
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Jun- 2020 -24 JuneRetailers
Usdaw urges retailers to maintain existing two-metre social distancing in stores
Shopworkers trade union Usdaw is urging retailers to maintain social distancing in shops at two metres, as agreed in joint safety guidance, after Boris Johnson announced a “one metre plus” rule for situations where two metre distancing cannot be observed. In a speech in parliament yesterday (23 June), the PM…
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