T&G praises government for prompt action to safeguard jobs

The
DTI has been praised for acting in the public interest and saving 19,000 jobs
in the home shopping industry.

The
Transport and General Workers’ Union (T&G) welcomed the decision by
Patricia Hewitt, secretary of state for trade and industry, to give the
go-ahead for the acquisition of the Great Universal Stores home shopping
business by March UK.

Jack
Dromey, T&G deputy general secretary, said: “The secretary of state has
acted in the public interest. Thousands of jobs hung on her decision. The
go-ahead for the merger is right for our members and right for the customers
they serve.”

March
UK, which also controls Littlewood’s Home Shopping and stores businesses, will
take over the firm, which includes a massive distribution centre in Worcester.

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The
T&G has 5,000 members who will be directly affected, ranging from those at
he Worcester site to drivers nationwide.

By Mike Berry