ShopFloor October

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SHOPFLOOR MANDATE TRADE UNION

OCTOBER 2012

Have you got what it takes to be a Member Organiser? Step Up and be counted! PAGE 4 Full details BACK PAGE

RE BRACED AS WORKERS A AUSTERITY FOR ANOTHER ATE VOWS D N A M , T E G D BU TANCE TO IS S E R D IL U B TO STAND UP THE CUTS AND LIDARITY... FOR SOCIAL SO

FIGHT BACK WITH US

LOW AN D E COM MIDDLE IN S FAMILIE

thrown up by these tough economic times and is doing this by working alongside progressive and fair employers. “Budget 2013 hangs over our heads like the sword of Damocles and will push us deeper into recession – unless we stand up and fight back.” And he warned: “Advances made in pay for our members could potentially be wiped out by this Government with the casual stroke of a pen in December’s budget. “Low and middle income families continue to be targeted unfairly and unjustly with political kites being flown already about possible future attacks on Child Benefit and social welfare.” Mr Douglas insisted unions such as Mandate were fighting “tooth and nail” to protect disposable income in order to boost domestic demand which in turn will help save thousands of retail jobs. He added: “Ours is a progressive message, a message of hope and a message of social solidarity.”

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After years of stagnation in retail workers’ pay, wages in some companies are on the rise once again. Mandate claims this welcome trend shows that collective bargaining and effective representation works. But the union has also warned its members that this Government is intent on further implementing its brutal cuts agenda in the upcoming Budget 2013. earlier this year, more than 3,000 staff at Marks and Spencer received a 2.5% boost to their wages and that was followed up by a 2% pay rise negotiated on behalf of 13,000 Mandate members at tesco Ireland. the union is also engaged in progressive pay talks with Penneys, Boots and Brown thomas – to name but a few – and is hopeful of securing positive outcomes. General Secretary John Douglas said: “In the teeth of an unprecedented recession Mandate is rising to the challenges

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MAN DATE TRADE UNION

Blowing the whistle on IKEA

over its attitude to trade unions

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