M&S stores to close today as strikes begin

Marks & Spencer stores are likely to close today when workers stage the first of three planned stoppages in a row with company management over a defined benefits scheme.

Last week, Siptu members employed in the chain voted unanimously in favour of industrial action and by 97.5% to 2.5% in favour of strike action after the company closed the workers’ defined benefit pension scheme.

Siptu represents about 140 workers in M&S stores in the Dublin area and today’s industrial action is the first of three days’ of work stoppages that are expected to impact severely on the stores’ pre-Christmas trade.