Marks and Spencer members vote to accept proposals

Friday 13 June 2014

Mandate Trade Union members in Marks & Spencer have today (Friday 13th June 2014) voted overwhelmingly in favour of a new set of proposals, which puts an end to a protracted dispute at the company.

The workers voted by a margin of 82 percent in favour of the proposals which are “a significant improvement on the original proposals put forward by the company last year”, according to Mandate Assistant General Secretary, Gerry Light.

“Not only does this agreement improve the situation for our members in terms of the original set of proposals put forward by management, it is also an improvement on the Labour Court recommendation issued in March of this year,” he said.

The dispute between Marks & Spencer workers and their employer began when the company sought cost cutting measures and put forward proposals which would have resulted in a very detrimental effect on the living standards of all workers in the company.

Mandate members rejected the original proposals out of hand resulting in a one day national strike at the company last December. They also emphatically rejected the Labour Court Recommendation issued in March of this year.

Mr Light said, “This once again shows how pragmatic our members can be when facing an unsavoury situation. They were put in a very difficult position but through their unity they have managed to secure a much more satisfactory offer.”

He added, “Our members have shown they are extremely determined and if any employer or other body makes a demand of them which they feel is unjust, inequitable or unfair, they will resist it in any manner necessary.”

Mr Light called for the restoration of a better industrial relations environment at the retail company.

“It is incumbent on all concerned to restore the good industrial relations environment that existed before this dispute which were clearly damaged over the past eight months.”

Mr Light concluded, “This again shows how – during good times and bad – being a trade union member can ensure you achieve the best possible outcome for you and your colleagues, particularly when unfavourable conditions are being imposed on you by your employer.”