Usdaw members launch new M&S recognition drive outside flagship Manchester store

Retail union Usdaw’s Marks and Spencer members have launched a new postcard outside the company’s flagship Manchester store asking customers to back their campaign to get union recognition within the high street.

Usdaw General Secretary John Hannett joined M&S members outside the Manchester store to give out the new postcard reminding shoppers that M&S makes much of its ethical trading stance but refuses to recognise Usdaw for collective bargaining.

Thousands of Usdaw M&S members across the UK will be talking to customers asking them to support their campaign by signing the specially designed postcards.

"Usdaw has seen a large number of hard working M&S staff join Usdaw and they simply want their employer to recognise Usdaw for collective bargaining," says John Hannett. "M&S has made much in newspaper adverts of its Plan A commitment to saving the planet and our postcards simply say there should be a Plan B for M&S staff which means they recognise Usdaw so we can fully represent our members.

"Our M&S members are telling us loud and clear that they want an experienced, independent retail union to protect what are still some of the best terms and conditions on the high street.

"We've had a huge response from shoppers to previous postcard campaigns and we are confident that ethical shoppers will understand there is a contradiction between selling cups of fair trade coffee in M&S cafes and a reluctance to recognise a trade union that can bring over a hundred years of retail expertise into the company.

"Usdaw's M&S members are determined to gain recognition and as more and more members join each week we hope that M&S will sit down with us so we can discuss a recognition agreement that will benefit all parties."

For more information visit: www.usdaw.org.uk/campaigns/union4marks/

Notes to Editors:

• Contacts for newsdesks: Usdaw's Media Officer, Paul Clarke, can be contacted on 0161 249 2469 or e-mail paul.clarke@usdaw.org.uk.
• Usdaw (the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK's fifth biggest trade union, with over 340,000 members. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemicals and other trades.
• More information and news releases are available at our online Newsroom.
• Journalists can subscribe to receive Usdaw news releases via our online e-news service.

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