M&S staff tell USDAW: "We want a union"

Shopworkers' union USDAW has launched a renewed drive to increase membership at Marks and Spencer, after a survey of existing members indicated strong support among their colleagues for an independent union at the retail giant.

Asked for their views on the role of the union and M&S's in-house consultation forum BIG, 82% of members thought the support of a trade union would help them achieve better pay and more respect from management.

"This recruitment drive is being led by our existing members within M&S, who are telling us that many of their colleagues would be interested in joining us," said USDAW general secretary John Hannett. "M&S workers want an independent trade union and one who knows the retail sector inside out, so the more people who join, the greater pressure there will be for M&S to talk to us about a formal recognition agreement."

The drive will involve members leafleting potential recruits outside M&S stores. The retailer is one of the few UK firms with large numbers of employees who have no union recognition.