Unite: Protest at John Lewis Partnership Council meeting
Protest at John Lewis Partnership Council meeting
8.30am Monday 26th November 2007
QE2 Conference Centre, central London
A representative group of workers from Unite, Britain’s largest union, whose companies have been sold off by the John Lewis Partnership, will protest against the decision at the partners’ meeting this Monday morning.
Over 250 workers from Stead McAlpine in Carlisle and GH Birtwhistle in Lancaster say they fear for their jobs and pensions after being sold to Apex Textiles. In addition they stand to lose many of the benefits of working for the John Lewis Partnership whilst still being suppliers to the stores.
Alan McGuckin, Unite regional industrial organiser, said the sale decision went against the ethos of the John Lewis Partnership.
“Jobs are at threat and we know the final salary pension will go next year under the new owners,” he said. “Such is the anger and concern of our members that they are bringing their protest to London. John Lewis partners need to know what is being done in their name.
“It cannot be right for a company which prides itself on fairness and co-operation to be selling loyal workers down the river.
“John Lewis prides itself on being a ‘partnership’ but this disputes shows that, like workers everywhere, its staff are employees who need the protection of a trade union.”
ENDS
Unite was formed on 1st May 2007 from a merger of amicus and the Transport and General Workers Union (T&G)
For further information please contact the Unite press office on 020 7611 2550
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