An Oxfordshire retailer has signed a groundbreaking agreement with shopworkers' union Usdaw.

Usdaw general secretary John Hannett and Ben Reid, chief executive of The Midcounties Co-operative, signed a six-page document setting out their aim to work together and communicate effectively with employees.

The two sides hope the deal will help future negotiations over employment terms and and learning and development opportunities.

Trish Poole, group general manager of personnel services at The Midcounties Co-operative, said: "We are proud to be formally setting out the relationship we have built up with Usdaw through working together over the years.

"As the first co-operative to have taken this step, I hope that many others will follow."

She added: "Our association with the union has great mutual benefit. Last month we joined forces to back Usdaw's Freedom from Fear Day which put respect for shop workers in the spotlight.

"There will be many future initiatives of this kind that are central to the way we run our business.

Mr Hannett, general secretary of Usdaw, said: "This is a landmark agreement within the Co-operative Movement and underpins the excellent working relationship we have developed with The Midcounties Co-operative over many years.

"I am delighted to sign this new agreement, which will be to the benefit of the employees and the society."

Afterwards, Mr Hannett was filmed for an Usdaw recruitment video meeting staff at the Botley Road Motorworld showroom, part of the co-op's motor group, and at the Cowley supermarket in Templar Square.

Later he saw one of the Imagine Co-operative Childcare nurseries run by The Midcounties Co-operative. Finally he visited a Co-operative Funeral Home in Hendred Street, Oxford, where five staff have applied to join Usdaw.