Five union representatives now sacked in race insult row at 2
Sisters
16th October 2009
Poultry processor 2 Sisters has now sacked the union convenor
and four shop stewards on the eve of the demonstration outside the
main M&S store in Birmingham.
The demonstration has been called to highlight the sacking of 54
innocent workers for challenging racism and defending their
union reps. One of the shop stewards sacked is the individual who
was originally racially abused.
The 59 sackings followed an incident in a factory employing
overwhelmingly migrant workers, when a shop steward was abused by a
security guard who called him a “P*ki b*stard”. The shop steward
was then disciplined but no action was taken against the security
guard.
Accusing 2 Sisters of “behaviour more akin to a 19th Century
mill owner”, Jack Dromey, deputy general secretary of Unite, today
said: “The disgraceful sacking of 59 workers was triggered by a
security guard hurling racist abuse at a shop steward. The
shop steward was disciplined, but no action was taken against the
security guard. If racist abuse is unacceptable on the dance floor,
then there can never be BNP language on the shop floor”.
Unite will commence its campaign by demonstrating outside the
M&S store in High Street, Birmingham at 11am tomorrow, Saturday
17th October. M&S, encouraged Unite to work with it and 2
Sisters to promote a vision of “Ethical Model Factories”. However,
now M&S has washed its hands of responsibility for the actions
of 2 Sisters.
ENDS
Contact: Ciaran Naidoo 07768 931 315
Jack Dromey will be available for interview at the demonstration
in Birmingham from 11.15am at the M&S store in High Street,
Birmingham.
