Liam Blight* has worked at a Morrisons store in Birmingham for two years. Here, he explains how the pandemic has made 2020 feel like every month is December and discusses first hand what Morrisons’ working conditions have been like during the pandemic.
Usually, December is manic but with the pandemic, it’s been demanding all year. It’s felt like Christmas every day but not in a good way.
During the first lockdown management told us we were taking what we take over Christmas profit wise. It’s felt like one person is doing the work of three or four staff.
I have asthma and working for longer periods of time in the chilled section is affecting that. I’ve ended up having to take time off sick because I’m having asthma attacks.
It’s hard trying to juggle family life and working longer hours. One night I had to work overtime, and I ended up missing the last bus home, so I had to wait four hours for the buses to start up again.
During the pandemic there just hasn’t been that time to recharge the batteries.
From the second week of December onwards its always very full on and this year its likely to be worse.
You can’t fill the shelves quick enough and then if you’re called to checkout there’s no one on the shop floor to stock the shelves so they’re left empty.
It’s a headache. Sometimes you’re so busy you don’t even realise you haven’t had a break.
You get home feeling tired, grumpy and grouchy which isn’t really in line with the festive spirit.
In December you’re not allowed to take holiday which is annoying because mine and my son’s birthdays are in December, which means we don’t get to celebrate them properly together.
You miss out on a lot during that period because you’re working extra hours and you’re not even asked if you want to do the overtime it’s just put in the rota.
You’re expected to be flexible, but I have a family. When do I get the time to do the things other people take for granted over Christmas? You finish a shift and then you have to go around the store and do your shopping.
The store is closed on Christmas Day but then you’re back open on Boxing Day which means you get barely any time to spend with your family.
Some customers are respectful, and they understand that you’re working your hardest, but others don’t care, and you get abuse because the shelves are empty.
To put up with all of this and to be paid less than people in the distribution centre doesn’t seem fair.
Yes, demand in the distribution centres is high but they don’t have the face-to-face interactions with the customers, they’re not getting the abuse and the confrontation.
Since the pandemic we’re classed as frontline workers, but it just doesn’t feel like we get the recognition we deserve for the work that we do.
Join The Claim
Hundreds of Morrisons store workers have joined the Morrisons Equal Pay Claim to take legal action against the company. Their demand is clear. They want to be treated fairly and to receive a well-deserved and long overdue pay rise.
If you would like to learn more about the claims we are bringing on behalf of supermarket workers, please click here.
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