MPs are to petition Marks & Spencer over proposed wage changes they say could leave thousands of workers worse off.
The retailer is proposing to “simplify” its premium rates for night shifts, Sundays and bank holidays as part of wider changes to its pay rates.
The petition claims 11,000 workers will be left worse off by the changes. M&S says it does not recognise this figure and that 90% of its workers will be better off. Based on its total staff of 69,000, that would make the number of those worse off closer to 7,000.
Campaigner Siobhain McDonagh MP will deliver a petition signed by almost 70,000 people to the company’s Paddington HQ on Thursday (1 September) .
The Labour MP for Mitcham & Morden said other MPs would also be attending to represent constituents affected by the changes, which M&S proposed in May.
McDonagh is an ardent campaigner for the NLW after exposing some companies she claimed had cut overall staff pay to offset it.
M&S’s proposals increase base rate hourly pay for customer assistants by 15% from £7.41 to £8.50 outside London and £9.65 in Greater London. This puts its rates above the NLW of £7.20 and the Living Wage Foundation’s recommendations of £8.25 outside London and £9.40 for Greater London.
The retailer says 90% of its staff will be better off under the new structure, and a one-off payment will ensure no one is worse off for two years.
The petition opposing the plan was started by an employee under the pseudonym Kate Simpson, who said she would be worse off under the plans. “They are targeting staff who have been here the longest, who may have no other option,” she wrote.
Simpson’s petition, which currently has 69,250 signatories, also claims that a revised pension scheme does not guarantee a set pension on retirement.
“I’m calling on Marks and Spencer to think again and scrap these proposals that are targeting their most loyal staff,” she states.
M&S director of retail, Sacha Berendji, said the company was listening to all feedback during its consultation.
He argued that the proposals amounted to one of the highest hourly rates in UK retail and complemented one of the most competitive benefits packages.
“The savings would be invested in the proposed higher hourly rates along with a significant contribution from the company,” he said.
“We believe this proposed new approach would reward our people in a fair and consistent way and help us to attract and retain the best talent so we can continue to provide great service for our customers.”
“The consultation is ongoing,” Berendji added. “I want to be clear that we are considering all the counter proposals that have been put to us and we will continue to talk and listen to colleagues across the UK. The consultation plays a crucial role in finalising our plans.”
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