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British UNI Commerce affiliate Usdaw has launched a national campaign saying that M&S staff has the right to 'join a fair trade union'. The choice of words draws attention to Marks & Spencer's visible commitment to support farmers in third world countries by selling fair trade products in their stores and cafés.

The Usdaw campaign points out that many M&S customers have welcomed the fair trade commitment and come back to its stores. At the same time, the union says, those customers are unaware that the company refuses to recognise Britain's biggest retail trade union.

- Our campaign points out that supporting fair trade growers by selling ethically sourced coffee in their restaurants is a great initiative but many shoppers would be concerned that the same ethical values don’t extend to allowing our M&S members union recognition, says Usdaw general secretary John Hannett.

Usdaw general secretary John Hannett asks Marks & Spencer to be serious about their commitment to fair trade and allow also their own workers to join a 'fair trade union'. Usdaw has organised many of them, but the British high street retailer has until now refused to recognise the union. A campaign to help the company change its approach has now been launched by Usdaw, who wants to inform also the M&S customers about the workers' need for proper representation.

- We’re confident that M&S customers will support us by returning specially commissioned postcards backing the case for union recognition and more M&S staff will join up to protect terms and conditions that traditionally have been among the best on the high street

- Usdaw has already recruited a significant number of M&S staff who are telling us it’s time M&S recognised a fair trade union, John Hannett says.

- Our reps are already out there representing their colleagues many of whom feel their terms and conditions are being gradually eroded, but we want to work with M&S to make sure their continued revival is not at the expense of staff morale.