Related Articles
KEIGHLEY Trade Union Council endorses the call made by the shopworkers’ union USDAW urging the Government to prioritise retail staff, shop and delivery workers during the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine.
These workers form a very large part of Keighley’s workforce. They should receive vaccinations alongside other vulnerable groups. These vaccinations could take place at suitable supermarket pharmacies, avoiding additional pressure on already-hard-pressed public services.
Supermarket, shop and delivery workers come into contact with thousands of members of the public every day. The Office for National Statistics estimates that one person in 50 has tested positive for Covid-19 in England. With a footfall of tens of thousands of customers each week, supermarket workers are at extreme risk of being exposed to and contracting the virus. It is imperative that this group of workers is vaccinated at pace alongside other frontline workers like teachers, transport workers, etc.
The newer variants of coronavirus are more transmittable yet social distancing remains at two metres. We welcome the new measures of compulsory mask wearing (except for medical exemptions). The supermarkets have made significant efforts during the pandemic but they have to, and can afford to, make more.
As a trade unionist I regret the fact that more workers are not covered by agreements like that between the Communications Workers Union and Royal Mail whereby symptomatic and Covid-positive staff are suspended with pay from work on medical grounds rather than being placed ‘on the sick’.
Keighley Trade Union Council believes that if all employees had this right, then it would encourage people not to attend work when symptomatic and guarantee that hard-pressed families have enough money to live off. This would reduce transmission and hasten the end of this pandemic.
Vincent Procter, executive member, Keighley Trade Union Council
* Email your letters to alistair.shand@keighleynews.co.uk
