Protest at Marks and Spencer AGM this Wednesday 13th July

PROTEST THIS WEDNESDAY AT MARKS AND SPENCER'S AGM

 

Unite to create a song and dance over workers rights at M&S AGM.

 

In protest at low pay and insecure labour at flagship M&S salads supplier Thanet Earth, Unite and climate justice activists will be reprising their Greenwash Dream song and dance number, recently seen in flashmobs in supermarkets across the capital.

 

What? Marks and Spencer's Annual General Meeting

Where? The Royal Festival Hall, London Southbank (Nearest tube/BR waterloo)

When? Weds July 13, from 12-2pm

 

MEET UP: 11am outside Burger King in Waterloo station

 

Activists will also be spelling out their opposition to exploitation in giant letters made of tomatoes.

 

Recently dismissed union member, Vanda Sefer will also share her story.

 

Call Unite organiser Ewa Jasiewicz for more action info: 07900 160 851

or see http://stopsweatshopgreenwash.blogspot.com/

 

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Original press release:

 

UNITE CALLING NOTE

 

11 July 2011

 

Attention:picture desks, news, business and retail correspondents

 

Where: Royal Festival Hall, London Southbank

When: Wednesday July 13, from 12-2pm

 

Unite creates a song and dance over workers rights at M&S AGM

 

Unite will be creating a song and dance at the M&S AGM in a musical protest at low pay and insecure labour at flagship M&S salad supplier, Thanet Earth

 

Union activists will reprise their song and dance number seen recently in flashmobs across M&S stores (see link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vd5s2_4CU4Q). They will also be spelling out their opposition to exploitation in giant letters made of tomatoes.

 

Unite has been taking up complaints from the workforce, who pick and pack tomatoes and other salad and fruits, over alleged irregular labour conditions. The alleged offences include hostility to union organisation, bullying, taking bribes by agency supervisors and managers, and denial of holiday entitlement and pay.

 

Recently dismissed union member, Vanda Sefer will available to telling her story to delegates and the media of how she has been treated by Thanet Earth based in Kent.

 

Unite regional industrial officer, Dave Weeks said:

 

"We want to highlight the rotten working conditions at Thanet Earth. Most workers have no direct contract of employment and can be hired and fired at will. This is a major supplier to M&S which claims to be an ethical retailer. It is time for the supermarket to insist that Thanet Earth cleans up its act."

"The action comes at the same time that the Gangmasters Licensing Authority (GLA) is expected to report on a catalogue of allegations submitted by Unite the Union on behalf of Thanet Earth workers."

 

"We want to tell M&S to take their commitments seriously and to use their financial muscle to get Thanet Earth to sit down in a room with Unite and M&S and resolve these serious complaints."

 

This protest comes as the GLA issues its report into Thanet Earth. The GLA has already commented in the press that they have supported our claims of breaches of legal guidelines at Thanet Earth.

 

ENDS

 

Contact: Ciaran Naidoo on 07768 931 315