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Usdaw steps up the campaign for M&S staff by targeting the flagship Marble Arch store #union4marks

Date: 09 December 2016 Usdaw is the independent trade union for M&S staff. Today we are stepping up the campaign for recognition, to give the staff a strong voice at work as the company goes through turbulent times.

The campaign moves to the flagship M&S store near Marble Arch in London, with an ad van and activists talking to staff and shoppers. Usdaw activists are also outside a M&S store in every region across the country with plans to repeat the campaign day on 16 December.

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 spiralling 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."

Slogans that Usdaw are using on the advertising van outside Marble Arch M&S as well as promoting #union4marks

  • With terms and conditions changing - M&S staff need Usdaw - their independent trade union
  • M&S staff deserve some Usdaw Magic & Sparkle at Christmas
  • With stores set to close - M&S staff need Usdaw - their independent trade union
  • Usdaw - quality worth every penny to M&S staff M&S is changing - staff need Usdaw - their independent trade union
  • This isn’t just a trade union… this is Usdaw… the independent union for M&S staff

Notes for editors:

Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK's fourth biggest and the fastest growing trade union with over 435,000 members. Membership has increased by more than 17% in the last five years and by nearly a third in the last decade. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the Union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemicals and other trades.

For Usdaw press releases visit: www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Twitter @UsdawUnion

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The official website of the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers