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Unite vows support for Pubwatch campaign

18th September 2009

Unite, the UK’s largest union, has pledged further support for National Pubwatch after Licensees Unite presented the organisation with a cheque for £2,500.
 
Up and down the country there have been a number of cases where licensees and bar staff have been subjected to serious assaults while trying to do their job. The National Pubwatch 'Court not caution' campaign aims to ensure these cases are treated seriously.
 
Licensees can lose their licence over issues, such as underage drinkers, smoking inside the premises and drug taking or dealing. Staff who must then confront these customers are being subjected to abuse and sometimes physical assault.
 
Unite and National Pubwatch believe that it is in the public interest that anyone who assaults a pub or bar employee when they are simply carrying out the duties of their job should not be given a caution and that such crimes deserve a court appearance.
 
Paul, a pub manager from Manchester, said: "Working in a busy pub in the centre of town
 we quite often get underage drinkers come in. It’s our responsibility to turn away anyone we believe is underage and does not have ID with them. However, it can quite often turn nasty, especially if they have already had a drink.

"On more than one occasion my colleagues and I have been subjected to abuse and assault. What I don’t understand is why these people are getting away with just a caution."

Dave Daly, Licensees Unite north west coordinator and pubwatch national committee member, said: "Unite is backing Pubwatch as we believe that no one should be subjected to any level of abuse or assault at work. It is the job of the police to keep these workers safe with sufficient deterrent which has to be a court appearance."

Licensees Unite is the biggest union in the pub sector representing around 10,000 licensees and is part of Unite, the union that represents a further 35,000 members in breweries and beer delivery.
 
ENDS

NOTES TO NEWS EDITORS:

For further information please contact:  Jennie Formby National Secretary Food Drink & Tobacco Sector tel:  020 7611 2616 mobile: 07702 206436