Usdaw is campaigning to get trade union rights for M&S staff. Thousands of M&S employees have already joined the Union but M&S is refusing to talk to the union let alone enter a recognition agreement with them. In stepping up the campaign USDAW have organised a petitioning picket for

Paddy Lillis – Usdaw Deputy General Secretary says: “Marks and Spencer have long resisted recognising an independent trade union for their staff, despite Usdaw representing thousands of members in the business. With the company in a state of upheaval and uncertain times ahead, now more than ever M&S staff need a strong independent trade union voice, ensuring they are treated fairly.

“Having just been through big changes in pay, terms and conditions, with many feeling they weren’t properly consulted and facing the threat of dismissal if they didn’t sign the new contract, M&S staff are worried about the future. Further big changes are happening in M&S, with the company announcing a shift from clothes retailing to food. They have already confirmed there will be store closures and reorganisations, but not said which stores are affected. So the axe hangs over every M&S shopworker and leaves them uncertain of the future. Consequently staff morale in the company is spiraling downwards.

“M&S employees may have had confidence in the management run internal staff association known as the ‘Big’ group, but they can no longer rely on them being effective on such major issues. The staff need the support of Usdaw, the shopworkers’ trade union, and the company should end their stubborn rejection of a recognition agreement with them.”