Trade unionists are mobilising against Marks & Spencer following the retailer’s dismissal of a staff member who leaked details of plans to change redundancy terms.

TUC general secretary Brendan Barber attacked the sacking as “truly shocking” and the GMB union, which represented the employee, is considering balloting its members at M&S about a strike.

Barber told The Times: “It is truly shocking that an employee can be dismissed for exposing underhand and secretive decisions about issues that will directly affect staff in his workplace.”

A GMB spokesman told The Daily Telegraph that it was planning “a campaign against what we think is corporate bullying” and industrial action was on the agenda.

M&S sacked the staff member yesterday following a disciplinary hearing. The retailer said the employee had made “derogatory and speculative” comments to the media and there could be no certainty that he would not disclose confidential information in future.

The staff member, who has worked at M&S for 25 years, will receive about£750 holiday pay.

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