Aisle back shop staff - MP

A NEW campaign to prevent violence, threats and abuse towards retail staff has been backed by Oldham MP Debbie Abrahams.

The Oldham East and Saddleworth MP has joined forces with union Usdaw to campaign for respect for shopworkers. She has pledged to support a protection of workers bill to introduce an offence of assault on a worker serving the public.

She said: “Too often retail employees are confronted with violence, threats and abuse and it is really important we stand together and ask people to respect shopworkers.

“I support Usdaw’s campaign for stiffer sentences and I’ve been very disappointed to see Tory and Lib-Dem MPs, on five occasions in the current Parliament, combine to block this measure proposed by Labour.