M&S pays staff who continue to work a 15% bonus after union walk-out

M&S pays staff who continue to work a 15% bonus following union walk-out at distribution centre

Marks & Spencer has handed its staff who continue to work a 15 per cent bonus days after unions staged a walk-out at a distribution centre. 

The retailer said employees still working in its stores and warehouses will get the reward in recognition of their hard work in ‘unprecedented times’. 

The company, which has closed the clothing and home areas of its stores but is still selling food and goods online, also said workers who stay home will be fully paid. 

Marks & Spencer said employees still working in its stores and warehouses will get a 15 per cent bonus in recognition of their hard work in ‘unprecedented times’

M&S has said its approach to furloughing is voluntary, allowing frontline staff to leave work if they have caring commitments or are ‘feeling more vulnerable’. 

Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Aldi and Asda have also promised staff extra pay for staying on. 

Tesco UK boss Jason Tarry said: ‘It’s been incredible to see how colleagues have stepped up and responded, doing an outstanding job during this uncertain and difficult time.’ 

Sainsbury’s retail and operations director Simon Roberts also praised ‘store, depot and customer service colleagues’ for their dedication and commitment. 

But M&S has come under fire from the GMB union, which represents workers at a distribution centre in Swindon. 

The GMB said there was a ‘cavalier attitude’ towards the safety of workers at the warehouse, which is run by DHL on behalf of M&S. 

It demanded stronger steps are taken to protect staff, adding that 80 staff had staged two walkouts. 

M&S said their distribution partners had strict social distancing and hygiene measures in place. 

Source link