Marks & Spencer Staff Set To Strike Nationwide Next Week

Employees of Marks & Spencer have voted in favour of strike action following a dispute concerning their pension scheme. According to the Irish Times, the workers have voted in favour of the actions after their pension scheme was closed without their agreement. The union have stated that the pension scheme was closed by the company without prior notification with M & S informing staff that this was a discretionary benefit. The notification was also accompanied by the news that there would be a reduction in section managers, Sunday and public shift premiums and removal of Christmas bonus. Mandate trade union, who represent the majority of the workers, have written to stores informing them that strike action will take place on December 7th. There are two further days of strike action planned for the company. The assistant general secretary of the Mandate Trade Union, Gerry Light, stated: “While we fully recognise that some employers in the retail sector are struggling and that Marks & Spencer, like many, are operating with reduced profits, the company have given their workers absolutely no satisfactory proof that the permanent withdrawal of terms and conditions of employment is necessary or justified." An M&S spokesperson said: “M&S has done all it can to try and move this situation forward so we are extremely disappointed that the Company has been given notice that strike action has been called. We are fully prepared to reopen talks at any time either locally or at the Labour Relations Commission in order to avoid the impact on our customers and employees in the run up to Christmas.” The strike action will take place nationwide across the company's 17 stores.