Retailers Urged to Make Voices Heard on Employment Costs
04 Aug 2006
As the Government prepares to introduce a number of employee-friendly measures, the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) is encouraging retailers to make sure that the concerns of employers in the convenience store sector are not forgotten. ACS’ latest Campaign Champions initiative is focussing on the potential impact of extended paid holiday, employer pension contributions and increases in the National Minimum Wage.
ACS Director of Public Affairs James Lowman said: “ACS and its members are not opposed to measures that provide a fair framework for staff. We support a fair National Minimum Wage, paid holiday and other rights. Our concern is that retailers will struggle to cope with so many additional costs likely to hit our sector in the near future.
“Extending paid holiday from four weeks to 5.6 weeks, introducing compulsory employer contributions to pensions, and any further increase in the National Minimum Wage will pile considerable costs on our members. Of course we are putting retailers’ views across inside Government, but it is also important for retailers to make their case directly, and to explain how much pressure these measures could put on their business.”
Campaign Champions are being asked to write to their MPs to explain about these costs. One of those who will be writing to their MP is retailer Leo Gillen from Hartlepool.
He said: “This is all about achieving a fair balance. With growing competitive pressure on margins, independent retailers can ill afford significant new costs on their business. Any addition to the wage bill – the biggest single cost area in our business - will put further pressure on retailers.
“We need to make sure these pressures are understood, and I would encourage retailers to become an ACS Campaign Champion and write to their MP.”
To take part in this campaign, visit www.thelocalshop.com or contact Rachel Lawson on 01252 515001.
Contact Rachel Lawson
ACS Communications Co-ordinator
01252 515001
ACS Director of Public Affairs James Lowman said: “ACS and its members are not opposed to measures that provide a fair framework for staff. We support a fair National Minimum Wage, paid holiday and other rights. Our concern is that retailers will struggle to cope with so many additional costs likely to hit our sector in the near future.
“Extending paid holiday from four weeks to 5.6 weeks, introducing compulsory employer contributions to pensions, and any further increase in the National Minimum Wage will pile considerable costs on our members. Of course we are putting retailers’ views across inside Government, but it is also important for retailers to make their case directly, and to explain how much pressure these measures could put on their business.”
Campaign Champions are being asked to write to their MPs to explain about these costs. One of those who will be writing to their MP is retailer Leo Gillen from Hartlepool.
He said: “This is all about achieving a fair balance. With growing competitive pressure on margins, independent retailers can ill afford significant new costs on their business. Any addition to the wage bill – the biggest single cost area in our business - will put further pressure on retailers.
“We need to make sure these pressures are understood, and I would encourage retailers to become an ACS Campaign Champion and write to their MP.”
To take part in this campaign, visit www.thelocalshop.com or contact Rachel Lawson on 01252 515001.
Contact Rachel Lawson
ACS Communications Co-ordinator
01252 515001