What: The GMB union has issued a warning to the John Lewis Partnership regarding potential staff walkouts if the company does not engage in discussions about its plan to eliminate 11,000 jobs over the next five years. The union demands urgent talks with chairwoman Sharon White to provide clarity and representation for the workforce.

Why it is important: This situation underscores the tension between the need for business restructuring and the rights of employees to fair representation and information about job security. The John Lewis Partnership's proposed job cuts represent a significant reduction in its workforce, aiming to decrease costs by EUR 900m. The move has sparked concerns among employees and the GMB union, highlighting the importance of transparent communication and negotiation in organizational changes.

The John Lewis Partnership, owner of Waitrose, faces potential industrial action from its employees, represented by the GMB union, over plans to cut 11,000 jobs within five years. The union has requested an urgent meeting with the company's chairwoman to discuss the job cuts and seek meaningful representation for the workers. Approximately 250 John Lewis and Waitrose partners are members of the GMB union, which has threatened to ballot workers for a strike if their demands are not met. The company has responded by stating it will reply to the GMB's letter. This development follows reports of the partnership's intention to significantly reduce its workforce to lower its cost base, alongside accusations from the GMB of discouraging union membership among employees. The John Lewis Partnership maintains that its employee-owned structure offers many union benefits without any cost, emphasizing that partners are free to join a union.

John Lewis partnership faces potential strike over job cuts