Union protests over boohoo warehouse conditions

Trade union Usdaw is to stage a Black Friday protest outside the head offices of online retailer boohoo over the working conditions in its Burnley warehouse.

Boohoo was the subject of an undercover report in the Sunday Times about conditions found within its supply chain after which the company promised to address its "many failings." 

Now Usdaw activists will be joining a Labour Behind the Label demonstration outside Boohoo's main offices in Manchester.

Usdaw says it continues to urge Boohoo to improve working conditions in its supply chain, and to ensure its own staff are treated with fairness and respect.

The organisers of the demonstration also claim that Boohoo Black Friday sales harm people and harm the planet by promoting excessive consumption of clothing. 

Mike Aylward, Usdaw Regional Secretary, says: "Regrettably, Boohoo has played fast and loose with their responses to persistent calls for the company to become an ethical trader. They have not made any progress on working with Usdaw since the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee recommended the company engages with us. It feels like they were just saying whatever it took to get them through the MPs’ investigation.

"We again ask Boohoo to take the simple step of sitting down with Usdaw to explore how we can work together. Boohoo could go a long way towards repairing their damaged reputation by meeting with Usdaw and engaging in a positive relationship. The company needs to clearly demonstrate to their employees, customers and the communities they operate in, that Boohoo is serious about being an ethical trader. We are joining with Labour Behind the Label to seek fairness and respect for fashion industry workers."

Lancashire Business View has asked Boohoo for comment on this story.