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Arena Magazine 2005 Issue 2 |
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Workers say Yes at M and S
More and more staff from one of the UK’s most well-known store chains – Marks and Spencer – have been turning to Usdaw as the under-fire retailer cuts back on some of the long-serving workers’ terms and conditions.
In January the union launched phase one of its campaign in the North West before rolling it out across the UK.
Usdaw's North West based campaign to recruit Marks & Spencer staff into the union has made significant progress in the last couple of months.
A team of union officials, led by area organiser Mike Aylward, visited 17 stores before Easter, spending a full day in each. The company had given Usdaw access to staff reception areas in stores. "This was a first for us," said Mike. "This allowed us to give every employee our specially produced leaflet and chat to staff about their concerns. We've had a really good response."
In another major breakthrough the union held its first conference for members working at M&S at its national training centre in Warrington. Long serving staff said the company's new internal consultation process wasn't addressing real concerns about important changes in their terms and conditions.
"M&S employees are extremely loyal and hard working so we wanted to take the opportunity to listen to their problems and determine what positive proposals we could put forward to the company," said national officer John Gorle. "This conference wasn't about knocking the company, but pointing out that an independent consultation process that Usdaw can provide is in the best commercial interests of M&S."
Mike Aylward added: "The feedback from the staff on phase one of the campaign has been extremely positive. The recruitment and awareness campaign has already shown us that there is a widespread need for union representation and we will be approaching M&S to open what we hope will be a fruitful dialogue that will benefit our members and the business."
You can help us make our mark at Marks
Many Usdaw members will know friends or relatives who work at Marks and Spencer and would appreciate help and advice from the union.
You can do your bit by encouraging them to join Usdaw - which they can do in complete confidence if they wish. Interested workers can contact their local Usdaw office or join via the web site. Reps in the North West division can get involved by contacting Mike Aylward on 01925 578050 or e-mail: union4marks@usdaw.org.uk.
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