Thousands of workers from the UK and Europe were today due to stage a demonstration in the UK against plans by Marks & Spencer to close stores on the Continent.
Union members from France, Belgium and Spain were being joined by UK workers at a march and rally which was passing the company's head office in London and flagship store in Oxford Street.
Unions are angry at the closure of stores, with the loss of thousands of jobs, and have attacked a lack of consultation.
Jan Furstenborg, of Union Network International, which is organising the protest, said thousands of jobs should not be cut just to "impress" institutional shareholders.
"It's not too late for M&S to sit down and talk to us," he said.
TUC general secretary John Monks said: "Our message to Marks & Spencer is take your redundancies back. We also call on governments throughout Europe, including our own, to support new information and consultation rights for people at work."
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