Unite launches new year online campaign calling on Tesco shoppers
to think about the workers
14 January 2009
Unite the union have placed an ad on Google calling on Tesco
shoppers to spare a thought for the workers employed by companies
in the supply chain that produces meat for Tesco stores. The ad has
already received over half a million sightings since it was placed
before Christmas.
The ad can be revealed to those doing supermarket searches using
the Google search engine. The ad itself will direct those using the
Google search engine to the Unite the union campaign page which
asks customers to sign a petition calling on Terry Leahy, Tesco CEO
to work with Unite to ensure the workers employed at companies in
the British and Irish meat supply chain are treated fairly.
The union has presented Tesco with evidence that workers
employed by companies in the supply chain producing meat for Tesco
are experiencing harsh and divisive conditions that in some cases
are abusive. Unite believes that structural discrimination exists
in many parts of the supply chain that provides meat to Tesco. As
an indication of the seriousness of Unite's claims, the
powerful Equality and Human Rights Commission has announced that it
is to examine the UK's multi-billion pound meat industry in England
and Wales for evidence of employment abuse and discrimination.
Unite joint general secretary, Tony Woodley, said: "We believe
that Tesco’s procurement practices are creating divisions between
mainly migrant agency workers and mainly indigenous permanent
workers across Britain and Ireland. We're asking Tesco customers to
play their part and sign our petition to Terry Leahy, Tesco's chief
executive.
"We believe the supermarkets desire to source meat more cheaply
is contributing to a race to the bottom in the UK supply chain.
"Unite is calling on Tesco to use its influence to ensure
companies in its meat supply chain sign a minimum standards
agreement and to establish Tesco Ethical Model Factories."
ENDS
Contact Ciaran Naidoo on 07768 931 315
