Usdaw says it is time for a Fair Trade union in M&S

Usdaw has launched a national campaign saying it’s time M&S staff had the right to join a fair trade union recognised by the high street giant.

The union’s campaign says that many M&S customers have come back to the company because of their welcome commitment to supporting fair trade farmers in the developing world but that those customers are unaware that M&S refuses to recognise Britain’s biggest retail union.

“Usdaw has already recruited a significant number of M&S staff who are telling us it’s time M&S recognised a fair trade union,” says Usdaw General Secretary John Hannett. “Our reps are already out there representing their colleagues many of whom feel their terms and conditions are being gradually eroded but we want to work with M&S to make sure their continued revival is not at the expense of staff morale.

“Our campaign points out that supporting fair trade growers by selling ethically sourced coffee in their restaurants is a great initiative but many shoppers would be concerned that the same ethical values don’t extend to allowing our M&S members union recognition.

“We’re confident that M&S customers will support us by returning specially commissioned postcards backing the case for union recognition and more M&S staff will join up to protect terms and conditions that traditionally have been among the best on the high street.”

• The leaflet and postcard are available to download from our Resource Library at http://www.usdaw.org.uk/resource_library/

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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