M&S Demos Go Global

Unite the union step up its campaign for workers in M&S's meat supply chain with international and national demonstrations outside M&S outlets.

 Demonstrations took place across the UK
including Northern Ireland and also in Turkey and Hungary. Followed
by action this week in the Republic of Ireland, Korea, Romania,
Poland and Bermuda. These actions form part of a rolling programme of
international action organised through the International Union of
Food workers, the global union of food and agriculture workers to
which Unite is affiliated.

The international demonstrations are a
remarkable example of action by union activists who are demanding
that M&S insist that workers in its supply chain are treated
fairly. In many cases these demonstrators face very tough organising
conditions and harassment from the authorities. Union activists in
Moscow were arrested outside the Marks & Spencer store on March 6
for demonstrating against M&S.

Unite has evidence that there is
widespread discrimination in the treatment of workers in the UK meat
supply chain. A permanent two tier workforce amongst many suppliers
has been created, starting conflict between migrant and indigenous
workers and helping to cause community disharmony. The union is
calling on M&S to agree to a minimum standards agreement.

Unite Joint General Secretary, Tony
Woodley, says:

"Today we are reaching out to
customers beyond the UK and the Republic of Ireland to tell them
about the treatment of workers in M&S's supply chain. Many
consumers across the world will be concerned that M&S are
allowing workers in their supply chain to be treated so unfairly. A
lot of customers use M&S because they claim to have high ethical
standards.

"This is not just about workers in
the UK and Republic of Ireland this is a global organising strategy.
We are working with the IUF to protect all workers' terms and
conditions, to prevent companies like M&S driving down conditions
and sending workers on a race to the bottom.

"Justice for low paid workers is
the least we should expect from a brand that claims to have corporate
social responsibility at the top of its agenda. The workers expect
it, the union expects it and M&S customers expect it. It is time
M&S delivered."

A survey of 1100 people in the UK
recently revealed that 65% of respondents expect M&S to have
higher ethical standards than other retailers with regard to workers
in their supply chain. A greater proportion of M&S customers
(72%) expected higher ethical standards.

In the survey, 92% of the sample agreed
with the statement that 'it is the responsibility of supermarkets to
ensure that workers in their supply chain were treated ethically',
with only 3% disagreeing with the statement. Despite talks and
independent research which backs the workers' claims, M&S has
failed to take effective action by insisting that the meat supply
industry stops exploiting its workforce.