// Wilko is criticised for putting health & safety of staff and shoppers at risk during the coronavirus pandemic

// The GMB has alleged that staff are “terrified” to work at the Wilko branch in Leek

Wilko has reportedly been accused of failing to keep staff and shoppers safe during the coronavirus crisis but has since hit back at union bosses to defend its position.

The GMB has alleged that staff are “terrified” to work at the Wilko branch in Leek, North Staffordshire, StokeonTrentLive reported.

The general trade union has expressed concerns around the availability of hand sanitiser, issues over the use of card-only tills, and the management of queues at the Brook Street store.

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Meanwhile, it has also accused the retailer of not paying employees for self-isolating without a government letter.

Wilko has rejected all of these union claims.

GMB organiser Samantha Warburton said Wilko workers are “terrified” for their own health and their families.

Wilko said it is doing “everything possible to protect team members and customers”.

Its current protective measures include enhanced cleaning, social distancing measures with internal and external signs and marshals, protective screens at checkouts, card-only tills, and reduced hours.

Wilko added that it is “deeply concerned” by the accusations and has “immediately” checked in with team members are the affected branches.

It maintained that staffs’ wellbeing is its number one priority and it will continue following the government’s guidance on coronavirus.

This is not the first time that Wilko has been accused of ill-doing by the GMB. Last month, Wilko’s decision to cut sick pay for distribution and retail workers sparked a “massive public backlash”.

The retailer denied that the cuts were related to Covid-19.

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