More National Demos as Survey Reveals Consumers Expect More From M&S

LONDON, March 6/PRNewswire/ --

A survey released today, reveals that consumers expect M&S to extend its
ethical credentials to its supply chain, where Unite the Union has evidence
of widespread discrimination in the treatment of workers.

Today, Unite will step up its national campaign for workers in M&S's meat
supply chain with a second wave of demonstrations outside M&S outlets (see
note to editors).

In the survey, 92% of the sample agreed with the statement that "it is
the responsibility of supermarkets to ensure that workers in their supply
chain were treated ethically." Only 3% disagreed with the statement.
Despite talks and independent research which backs the workers' claims, M&S
has failed to take effective action by insisting that the meat supply
industry stops exploiting its workforce.

The survey of 1100 people also revealed that 65% of respondents expect
M&S to have higher ethical standards than other retailers with regard to
workers in their supply chain. A greater proportion of M&S customers (72%)
expected higher ethical standards.

Whilst M&S claims to be one of the leading ethical supermarkets, Unite
has evidence that there is widespread discrimination in the treatment of
workers in the meat supply chain. A permanent two-tier workforce amongst many
suppliers has been created, starting conflict between migrant and indigenous
workers and helping to cause community disharmony.

Last week the union launched a sponsored link on Google which has
received over 276,000 sightings to date.

Unite joint general secretary, Tony Woodley says,

"This survey shows that consumers expect M&S to extend its ethical
credentials to the real people in its supply chain.

M&S chooses the contracts and dictates the price of the contracts, it
cannot wash its hands of responsibility.

Consumers care more about having ethical choices than ever before. Sir
Stuart Rose knows this and M&S has been at pains to market its ethical
credentials. M&S's campaign to position itself as an ethical brand is under
threat if it fails to "practice what it preaches".

Today Unite is launching the second wave of national demonstrations
outside Marks and Spencers outlets across the UK, to demand that Marks &
Spencers operates an ethical supply chain."

Notes to editors: The survey was commissioned by Unite and undertaken by
independent researchers Vision 21. 1100 interviews where conducted across the
12 Government office regions. The participants were called at random.

M&S HITS - 6th March 2008

The demonstrations will take place between 11.00am and 1.00pm at the
following M&S outlets.

Store Address

Brighton 195 Western Road, Brighton, BN1 2BJ

Bristol 78 Broadmead, Bristol, Avon, BS1 3DS

Dublin Grafton Street, Dublin 2

Wrexham 12 Hope Street, Wrexham, Clwyd, LL11 1BG

Birmingham 28-40 High Street, Birmingham, West Midlands, B17 0HT

Liverpool 35 Church Street, Liverpool, Merseyside L1 1DF

Ayr 82 High Street, Ayr, Strathclyde, KA7 1PG

Leeds 47 Briggate, Leeds LS1 6HF

Source: Unite the Union

For more information contact: Ciaran Naidoo +44(0)7768-931-315

2008-03-05 19:02:29 0305848 PRNEWSWIRE