Unite attacks 'Dickensian' practices of M&S agencies
10 September 2012
Unite, the trade union that represents around 25,000 workers in the UK meat industry, has attacked Marks & Spencer for what it claims is its failure to deal with "essentially Dickensian practices" of agencies that supply staff to the company's contractors
Unite, the trade union that represents around 25,000 workers in the UK meat industry, has attacked Marks & Spencer for what it claims is its failure to deal with "essentially Dickensian practices" of agencies that supply staff to the company's contractors.
Scott Walker, a union representative at Unite and chairman of the meat sector combine, claimed that some temporary agency staff working in Marks & Spencer's supply chain had been paid £1 an hour less than permanent employees working in the same company. Some temporary workers had also been over-charged for accommodation and transport, Walker claimed.
"Marks & Spencer makes much of being an ethical employer but is turning a blind eye to what are essentially Dickensian practices," Walker told Recruiter.
Walker said that while Marks & Spencer had generally addressed these issues when they were pointed out, the problem was that as soon as they had been addressed with one agency and contractor, another agency would come in and so the original issues kept recurring.
"Until Marks & Spencer takes control of its supply chain this sort of thing is going to spring up regularly," said Walker.
Despite his criticisms, he wasn't prepared to name the agencies involved.
A spokesperson for Marks & Spencer said: "All sites that we take meat from fully comply with national law and can demonstrate progress in their ethical audits.
"We have worked closely with suppliers, the Gangmasters Licensing Authority, the Association of Labour Providers and Unite to develop best practice on temporary labour and part-funded the independent research into poultry issues, referenced by Unite.
"Many, through local negotiation with the workforce, have higher wages and benefits for both temporary and permanent workers. M&S has a leading position in labour standards and we work very hard with our suppliers to maintain these high standards."
Scott Walker, a union representative at Unite and chairman of the meat sector combine, claimed that some temporary agency staff working in Marks & Spencer's supply chain had been paid £1 an hour less than permanent employees working in the same company. Some temporary workers had also been over-charged for accommodation and transport, Walker claimed.
"Marks & Spencer makes much of being an ethical employer but is turning a blind eye to what are essentially Dickensian practices," Walker told Recruiter.
Walker said that while Marks & Spencer had generally addressed these issues when they were pointed out, the problem was that as soon as they had been addressed with one agency and contractor, another agency would come in and so the original issues kept recurring.
"Until Marks & Spencer takes control of its supply chain this sort of thing is going to spring up regularly," said Walker.
Despite his criticisms, he wasn't prepared to name the agencies involved.
A spokesperson for Marks & Spencer said: "All sites that we take meat from fully comply with national law and can demonstrate progress in their ethical audits.
"We have worked closely with suppliers, the Gangmasters Licensing Authority, the Association of Labour Providers and Unite to develop best practice on temporary labour and part-funded the independent research into poultry issues, referenced by Unite.
"Many, through local negotiation with the workforce, have higher wages and benefits for both temporary and permanent workers. M&S has a leading position in labour standards and we work very hard with our suppliers to maintain these high standards."
