The modern railway network turns 200 this month and is currently one of the greenest forms of transport. But unless focus shifts from profits to people, Britain won’t benefit from it, argue ROX MIDDLETON, LIAM SHAW and MIRIAM GAUNTLETT

The coronavirus emergency has brought about a new understanding of the essential role retail workers have in keeping our communities fed, healthy and safe. Usdaw’s consistent calls for shopworkers to be respected and valued are being heard, but that must not fade into the background when this national crisis passes.
There must be lasting and fundamental changes to the way society views our lowest paid workers. We need a New Deal for the workers employed in our supermarkets, distribution warehouses, food processing sites and home delivery operations. A new deal on pay, a real living wage, an end to insecure employment and action to ensure that retail jobs are no longer underpaid and undervalued.
#SolidarityWithShopworkers is not just a phrase for a crisis and the issues our members face are not new, but amplified in this emergency situation. Their key worker status has brought with it very welcome public applause and government recognition.

By sticking together, working collectively and building the union, we can weather any uncertainty ahead, writes general secretary of Usdaw PADDY LILLIS


