Spanish deal at Marks & Spencer

Retail group Marks & Spencer has reached a deal on redundancy terms with its Spanish employees following the major demonstration in May against the closure, without consultation, of its continental European stores (see Labour Research June 2001 page 8).

The agreement, with the group's 786 employees in Spain provides compensation of 46 days' pay per year of service with a ceiling of 42 months' pay. The company is attempting to sell its Spanish stores and has guaranteed that if it is successful the employees will be taken on by the new owner.

However, the majority of the 4,400 workers whose jobs are at risk are in France and here so far there is no indication of a deal.