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<\/div>\nJohn Lewis Partnership have been warned by the GMB union that they risk staff walking out if they do not receive answers over planned job cuts.<\/p>\n
The Waitrose owner has been informed by GMB that it must meet to discuss its plans to axe 11,000 roles over the next five years, according to The Telegraph.<\/p>\n
In a letter to chairwoman Sharon White, the union said it was poised to ballot the retailer\u2019s employees over industrial action if she failed to provide more detail on the job cuts.<\/p>\n
GMB national officer Nadine Houghton said: \u201cAs the union that represents John Lewis workers, we call on you to meet urgently with us to discuss these changes and to give your workforce the meaningful representation they clearly need.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf workers do not get the answers they feel they deserve, they will not hesitate to request that GMB begins a ballot of workers.\u201d<\/p>\n
Subscribe to Retail Gazette for free<\/strong><\/h5>\nSign up\u00a0here\u00a0to g<\/span>et the latest news straight into your inbox each morning<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\nAround 250 John Lewis and Waitrose partners are understood to be part of the union.<\/p>\n
A spokesman for John Lewis told The Telegraph: \u201cWe\u2019ve just received the letter and will reply to the GMB.\u201d<\/p>\n
It follows reports last week that the partnership was looking to slash more than 10% of its 76,000 workforce in an effort to reduce its cost base by \u00a3900m.<\/p>\n
The Guardian reported that the cuts will impact the company\u2019s central London head office and John Lewis staff most heavily.<\/p>\n
Last week, the GMB accused John Lewis of discouraging workers from joining trade unions after partners had been informed the business was halving its redundancy payouts.<\/p>\n
However, John Lewis Partnership, which has its own council run by staff representatives, said that its employees were \u201cfree to join a union\u201d, but highlighted that \u201cas an employee-owned organisation, we\u2026 provide many benefits of a union, without any cost\u201d.<\/p>\n
Around 250 John Lewis and Waitrose partners are understood to be part of the union.<\/p>\n
A spokesman for John Lewis told The Telegraph: \u201cWe\u2019ve just received the letter and will reply to the GMB.\u201d<\/p>\n
It follows reports last week that the partnership was looking to slash more than 10% of its 76,000 workforce in an effort to reduce its cost base by \u00a3900m.<\/p>\n
The Guardian reported that the cuts will impact the company\u2019s central London head office and John Lewis staff most heavily.<\/p>\n
Last week, the GMB accused John Lewis of discouraging workers from joining trade unions after partners had been informed the business was halving its redundancy payouts.<\/p>\n
However, John Lewis Partnership, which has its own council run by staff representatives, said that its employees were \u201cfree to join a union\u201d, but highlighted that \u201cas an employee-owned organisation, we\u2026 provide many benefits of a union, without any cost\u201d.<\/p>\n