Shopworkers to elect new leader

Branches are this month being asked to nominate a new general secretary for the shopworkers' union USDAW.

The current general secretary Sir Bill Connor has said he will retire in May 2004 after more than seven years in the job.

During that period USDAW's membership has grown from 290,170 to the current figure of 321,151 - an increase of 10.7%.

So far two candidates have declared themselves, John Hannett, the current deputy general secretary and Val Pugh, national officer responsible for mail order.

However, with only one branch nomination needed to stand, other names may emerge before nominations close on 13 October.

Ballot papers will be issued to all members in November. The result will be announced the following month.