M&S chief Steve Rowe comes under pressure from MPs over proposed pay cuts for shop staff
M&S boss Steve Rowe has received letters from six MPs asking him to reconsider cutting pay for his shop staff, Morning Wire understands.
One letter sent to Rowe from Alison Thewliss of the SNP read: "It is clear that there is increasing cross-party condemnation of businesses who seek to exploit their employees at a time when they should be receiving a much-needed increase in take-home pay."
Conservative MP Mark Lancaster has also written to the Treasury about how National Living Wage legislation is working in practice, according to Morning Wire sources.
Read more: M&S accused of threatening to sack staff who reject new contracts
The news comes as M&S staff discuss with management how the business' pay cut proposals might be curbed. Morning Wire has learned the staff's representative body National BIG will receive feedback from management on employees' counter-proposals today.
M&S' employees have asked management to pay one-and-a-half times the hourly pay rate on Sunday; the business has proposed cutting all extra pay on Sundays and reducing pension contributions.
An M&S spokesperson said: "We believe our proposed new approach to pay and pensions would reward our people in a fair and consistent way, simplify and modernise our business and help us attract and retain the best talent so we can continue to provide great service for our customers.
Read more: M&S pay row heats up as staff and management thrash out proposals
"The proposals include one of highest pay rates and one of the best benefits packages in UK retail. The consultation is ongoing and we are listening carefully to our colleagues and their representatives."
The consultation has not been easy going for M&S – the retailer has been accused by shopworkers' union Usdaw of threatening to sack staff who do not agree to contract changes. The pay changes are set to come into effect in April next year.