UNIONS TO STAGE M&S DEMO.

Trade union leaders agreed on April 25 to stage an international demonstration in London on May 17 to demand a withdrawal of the British retailer Marks & Spencer's closure plans in continental Europe and to call on Chairman Luc Vandevelde to give up his expected GBP810,000 (more than Euro 1.2 million) bonus. Well over 1,000 M&S staff from France, Belgium and other countries are expected to join the London demonstration along with UK contingents. The day is being co-ordinated by the global skills and services union UNI (Union Network International) with the co-operation in Britain of the Trade Union Congress, and UK commerce unions USDAW and GMB. Jan Furstenborg, who heads UNI's Commerce Sector, said: "The European unions were extremely critical both of the decision and the way it which it was announced without proper consultation with workers and their unions." UNI will press Marks & Spencer to set up a regular dialogue with...