Paddy Lillis – Usdaw Deputy General Secretary says: “We have been contacted by many of our members in Marks and Spencer who are very concerned about the proposed changes to their pay and pension, along with potential Autumn store closures, particularly as the company indicated in the consultation document that staff could be dismissed if they do not accept the contractual changes.

“Usdaw is the independent trade union for M&S staff and we urge the company to get round the table and engage with us, or at least allow our reps into M&S workplaces to speak to staff. In the meantime we are seeking to have conversations with staff individually, outside stores, to explain the benefits of joining Usdaw.

“M&S staff need a voice. It’s totally inadequate for them to rely on a company organised staff association to best represent their interests.”

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 430,000 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: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Twitter @UsdawUnion