Unite challenges Tesco CEO Terry Leahy at AGM
3rd July 2009
Today (3rd July), Jack Dromey, Unite deputy deneral secretary,
will issue a challenge to Tesco CEO Terry Leahy at the company's
AGM to personally meet with workers employed at companies that
supply meat to Tesco.
In a first for a British trade union, Unite will table a
resolution at Tesco's AGM. The resolution calls for action to end
the exploitation and discrimination of workers employed by
companies in the UK and Ireland that supply meat to Tesco.
From the floor of the AGM Mr Dromey will ask Terry Leahy if he
will personally meet with workers employed at companies that supply
meat to Tesco Stores.
Jack Dromey will say: "Will Terry Leahy personally meet with
workers employed at companies that supply meat to Tesco to hear
first hand how some workers are experiencing harsh and divisive
conditions that in some cases are abusive?"
Mr Dromey will also ask Mr Leahy if he is prepared to work with
Unite to end what the union believes is discrimination in many
parts of the supply chain that provides meat to Tesco with agency
workers, overwhelmingly migrant, on poorer conditions of
employment, undercutting indigenous workers. That divides
workplaces, Unite says, and damages community social cohesion.
Unite protestors are out in full force outside the AGM in
Glasgow, brandishing flags and placards to ensure shareholders hear
the voice of workers employed by companies which supply meat to
Tesco stores. Unite members with shares in Tesco will also question
Terry Leahy from the floor of the AGM.
As an indication of the seriousness of Unite's claims, the
powerful Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is conducting
its first statutory inquiry into the UK's multi-billion pound meat
industry in England and Wales for evidence of employment abuse and
discrimination.
ENDS
For further information contact and to arrange interviews with
deputy general secretary, Jack Dromey, on the day contact:
Shaun Noble on 07768 693 940 or Ciaran Naidoo on 07768 931 315
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