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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."

For more information about Unite's Every Worker Counts campaign click here

ENDS

Contact Ciaran Naidoo on 07768 931 315