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Joanne Thomas

@joannegsusdaw.bsky.social

28 followers 2 following 36 posts

General Secretary of Usdaw. Work in retail or distribution? Join one of the UK’s biggest trade unions. linktr.ee/usdawunion

Posts Replies Media

Joanne Thomas @joannegsusdaw.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

Representing Usdaw members has been the honour of a lifetime. Thank you for the support, solidarity and friendship you've shown me in my first year as General Secretary. I'm excited for the years ahead.

Joanne Thomas @joannegsusdaw.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

Reform has opposed every measure to improve workers’ lives and deliver much-needed change for our members. They are a threat to our members’ rights and incomes www.usdaw.org.uk/latest-news/...

USDAW - It’s a resounding NO to Reform

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Joanne Thomas @joannegsusdaw.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

We fundamentally reject the DUP position, that workers’ rights can be improved by cutting off their voice through a trade union www.usdaw.org.uk/latest-news/...

USDAW - NI Good Jobs Bill

Joanne Thomas @joannegsusdaw.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

I was incredibly proud to speak as Chair of TULO at the ASLEF Union conference today on the importance of solidarity between affiliated unions 🤝🌹

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Joanne Thomas @joannegsusdaw.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

We owe it to every worker who took part in the General Strike, and to all those who have taken industrial action since, to fight to deliver the New Deal for Working People in full. ✊ Read my full article for LabourList here ⬇️ labourlist.org/2026/05/orga...

'Organised labour has transformed the world of work for the better' - LabourList

We owe it to the memory of the General Strike to fight to deliver the New Deal for Working People in full and to go beyond it.

Joanne Thomas @joannegsusdaw.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

What an absolutely brilliant STUC conference in sunny Dundee ☀️ I was so proud to see so many of our reps contributing to the debates along with speaking at fringe events. Excellent representation of our Scottish members ✊🏼 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

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Reposted by Joanne Thomas

UsdawUnion @usdawunion.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

We condemn the dangerous escalation of military actions in Iran. Full TUC statement ➡️ bit.ly/4u1zCIt

Reposted by Joanne Thomas

UsdawUnion @usdawunion.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

We're urging Labour to reflect on the verdict of the voters and deliver the change they promised.

Joanne Thomas @joannegsusdaw.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

Joanne Thomas @joannegsusdaw.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

There is important work to be done by this Labour Government and we need to be united behind the Prime Minister to deliver it. Usdaw’s statement: www.usdaw.org.uk/latest-news/mandel…

USDAW - Mandelson

Joanne Thomas - Usdaw general secretary says: "The victims of the appalling acts of Epstein and his associates are foremost in our minds. Tackling violence against women and girls must remain an essential priority for us all. "In the light of the latest evidence Keir Starmer rightly removed Mandels...

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Joanne Thomas @joannegsusdaw.bsky.social · 21/01/2026

You cannot build a growing economy on insecure work. It's not just about banning zero-hours contracts, but taking action on short-hours contracts too. The Government needs to make sure that the new ERA rights extend to every worker #newdeal4workers www.usdaw.org.uk/latest-news/...

USDAW - PMQs - short hours contracts

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Joanne Thomas @joannegsusdaw.bsky.social · 21/01/2026

We very much welcome further investment from Labour into neighbourhood policing, to help tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in communities and town centres #FreedomFromFear #Respeect4RetailWorkers www.usdaw.org.uk/latest-news/...

USDAW - Neighbourhood policing

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Joanne Thomas @joannegsusdaw.bsky.social · 14/01/2026

For too long, transport infrastructure investment outside the capital has been woeful and I’m delighted to see that Labour in government is going to change that www.usdaw.org.uk/latest-news/...

USDAW - Northern Powerhouse Rail

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Joanne Thomas @joannegsusdaw.bsky.social · 13/01/2026

Many employers rely on working parents to keep their business running. Being able to access rights to leave can make the difference between a working parent being able to hold down a job or not www.usdaw.org.uk/latest-news/...

USDAW - Parental leave

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Joanne Thomas @joannegsusdaw.bsky.social · 08/01/2026

Ending the two-child cap will do more than any other measure to lift children out of poverty and we welcome that that this cruel Tory policy is being scrapped www.usdaw.org.uk/latest-news/...

USDAW - Two-child cap

Joanne Thomas @joannegsusdaw.bsky.social · 25/11/2025

Trade unions can help women who struggle to make their voices heard by collectively challenging the power imbalances that permit and perpetuate violence against women. Together we can work to eliminate violence against women #CallItOut #NoExcuse www.usdaw.org.uk/latest-news/...

USDAW - #NoExcuse

Joanne Thomas @joannegsusdaw.bsky.social · 14/11/2025

We stand together with the Co-op Party to make every community thrive, win a better deal for working people and build a better Britain for everyone www.usdaw.org.uk/latest-news/...

USDAW - Co-op Party Conference 2025

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Joanne Thomas @joannegsusdaw.bsky.social · 10/11/2025

Crime and Policing Bill - Lords committee stage: Usdaw welcomes progress on protecting retail workers and tackling retail crime #FreedomFromFear #RespectWeek www.usdaw.org.uk/latest-news/...

USDAW - Crime and Policing Bill - Lords committee stage

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Joanne Thomas @joannegsusdaw.bsky.social · 10/11/2025

It remains shocking that nearly three-quarters of those working in retail are regularly facing abuse from customers, with far too many experiencing threats and violence #FreedomFromFear #Respect4RetailWorkers www.usdaw.org.uk/latest-news/...

USDAW - Respect for Shop Workers Week 2025

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Joanne Thomas @joannegsusdaw.bsky.social · 15/10/2025

The Crime and Policing Bill includes a much-needed protection of retail workers’ law, but it isn’t clear that this will apply to delivery drivers. We are looking for the Government to clarify #FreedomFromFear #Respect4RetailWorkers www.usdaw.org.uk/latest-news/...

USDAW - Crime and Policing Bill – Lords second reading

Joanne Thomas @joannegsusdaw.bsky.social · 14/10/2025

Bridget Phillipson wants to ensure that our members’ voices are heard at the highest level and that can only be achieved with a deputy leader who is also in the Cabinet @bphillipsonmp.bsky.social www.usdaw.org.uk/latest-news/...

https://www.usdaw.org.uk/latest-news/bridget-phillipson-trade-unionists-will-be-heard/

Joanne Thomas @joannegsusdaw.bsky.social · 10/10/2025

Being in a union is good for your mental health. Our day of action adds to Usdaw’s all-year-round ‘It’s good to talk’ campaign, which helps our reps to talk about mental health and support members at work every day www.usdaw.org.uk/latest-news/...

USDAW - World Mental Health Day 2025

Joanne Thomas @joannegsusdaw.bsky.social · 09/10/2025

Trade unions have a crucial role in creating a fairer and more equal society - the scale of the task is huge. It is incredibly worrying that popular support for extreme right-wing parties has grown to levels we have not seen since the 1930s #NationalHCAW www.usdaw.org.uk/latest-news/...

USDAW - National Hate Crime Awareness Week 2025

Joanne Thomas @joannegsusdaw.bsky.social · 03/10/2025

Everyone at Usdaw stands with the Jewish community of Manchester. We are horrified at the events that took place yesterday. Our deepest sympathies and thoughts are with all those affected by this terrible tragedy. Violence and hate has no place in our communities.

Joanne Thomas @joannegsusdaw.bsky.social · 30/09/2025

Everyone should have the right to guaranteed hours at work. I was proud to speak at yesterday's Labour Party Conference on how the Employment Rights Bill needs to deliver secure hours for our members.

Joanne Thomas @joannegsusdaw.bsky.social · 15/09/2025

We are delighted to nominate Bridget Phillipson MP for the role of deputy leader of the Labour Party

Joanne Thomas @joannegsusdaw.bsky.social · 10/09/2025

We must ensure that all workers are equipped with the skills to benefit from advancements in AI technology

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Joanne Thomas @joannegsusdaw.bsky.social · 10/09/2025

It’s been great working with TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak this week at Congress Our delegation has played a pivotal role, raising important issues on tackling the far-right, ending age-related redundancy pay, neurodiversity rights at work, and AI and the future of work 📸: Jess Hurd

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Joanne Thomas @joannegsusdaw.bsky.social · 09/09/2025

We are very pleased that Bridget Phillipson has given a strong commitment, on behalf of the Government, to delivering the Employment Rights Bill in full #NewDeal4Workers www.usdaw.org.uk/latest-news/...

USDAW - TUC 2025: Bridget Phillipson

Joanne Thomas @joannegsusdaw.bsky.social · 09/09/2025

Today, I met with Zane Gbangbola's father and campaigner Kye Gbangbola at the TUC Congress. I'm backing Zane’s Law to make toxic landfill and polluted water safe.

Joanne Thomas @joannegsusdaw.bsky.social · 08/09/2025

We must not pull mainstream politics even further to the right. #TUC2025

Joanne Thomas @joannegsusdaw.bsky.social · 08/09/2025

I spoke today at the TUC Congress 2025 on how we can - and should - tackle the far right

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Joanne Thomas @joannegsusdaw.bsky.social · 08/09/2025

#TUC2025 Abuse of workers cuts across many sectors, with around 80% of employees being in public-facing roles, and regrettably it seems to be a growing problem across the board #FreedomFromFear www.usdaw.org.uk/latest-news/...

USDAW - TUC 2025: Action against assaults

Joanne Thomas @joannegsusdaw.bsky.social · 04/09/2025

We are urging the Government to stand firm against Tory and Lib Dem amendments and deliver the Employment Rights Bill in full www.usdaw.org.uk/latest-news/...

USDAW - Employment Rights Bill passes in the Lords

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Joanne Thomas @joannegsusdaw.bsky.social · 19/08/2025

Huge congratulations to our Academy 2 participants 💜

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Joanne Thomas @joannegsusdaw.bsky.social · 05/08/2025

We are calling on the Low Pay Commission to continue to be ambitious with this year’s recommendation, setting a clear path towards £15 per hour for all workers and ending rip-off youth rates

USDAW - Low Pay Commission visits Newcastle to hear Usdaw’s evidence for an increase in the minimum wage

All your questions answered

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Joanne Thomas @joannegsusdaw.bsky.social · 29/07/2025

If you don’t know the difference between banter and harassment, then you’re probably part of the problem www.usdaw.org.uk/latest-news/...

USDAW - Tackling violence against women and girls

Joanne Thomas @joannegsusdaw.bsky.social · 28/07/2025

Today marks my first day as Usdaw’s new General Secretary. I'm incredibly proud to lead our fantastic Union and can’t wait to get started, supporting our members, reps and colleagues to make people’s working lives better.