The Cost of Living Survey of Retail Union Liberation

Usdaw survey highlights impact of cost of living crisis on workers.

The UK’s fifth largest trade union, Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers), has published the results of its latest cost of living survey.

The union is appealing to voters to support Labor in July’s election, arguing that three years of the Tories’ cost-of-living crisis have hit working people hard and are continuing to fight to make it seven.

Usdaw’s June 2024 survey of 6,689 key workers in the retail, pharmaceutical, funeral care, warehousing and distribution sectors found that:

• Almost three-quarters feel worse than at the last general election in 2019.
• 72% struggled to pay their energy bills, with a quarter struggling every month.
• 62% have taken out loans to pay their day-to-day bills and 45% of them are struggling to keep up with repayments.

Some of the comments Usdaw members shared when they completed the union’s survey included:

“My mortgage has gone up by around £500 a month and my energy costs are lower. I don’t have a social life and I forgot when I last had a vacation. However, nothing changes.” Retail worker, south of England.

“The salary I have barely keeps my family and myself out of poverty. There should be stronger controls on the tariffs of energy companies.” Warehouse worker, Scotland.

“I got a second job. My husband works the better part of 60+ hours a week to survive financially. Our work/life balance is way off.” Undertaker, Northern England.

“Everything is more expensive and any small increase in wages does not cover the difference. Fuel, food, electricity, heating cripple people. I haven’t eaten out in over two years because of it.” Retail worker, Northern Ireland.

“Fighting. Especially since he was stupid and only got statutory sickness benefit. I live on my own, so worry a lot.” Pharmacy Worker, Midlands.

“Living costs too much. Surviving, just, but struggling to see the point of surviving right now.” Retail Worker, Wales.

Paddy Lillis, general secretary of Usdaw, said: “It continues to be shocking to hear the testimonies of our members who have been badly affected by the Tory cost of living crisis. It should be a great shame for the Tories that three quarters of our members, key workers who serve our communities, feel worse than at the last election. This Government has failed and that is why we need a change.

“Too many of the workers we rely on for our essential services are struggling with poverty pay, weak labor rights and insecure jobs. These are the key factors that make it so difficult for them to keep up with skyrocketing prices for fundamentals such as food, housing, energy and fuel.

“That’s why we need a Labor government to deliver the change our members are desperately seeking. Labour’s plan to make work pay through a new deal for workers will tackle in-work poverty with a real living wage that takes into account price rises as a legal minimum, the right to a contract that reflects normal working hours to make bigger jobs. safe and supportive workers by strengthening their collective voice through trade unions. These transformative policies will only be delivered if we vote for a Labor government on July 4.”

Usdaw (Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers Union) it is the fifth largest trade union in the UK, with around 360,000 members. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, the chemical industry and other trades www.usdaw.org.uk

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