Tesco faces meat industry protest

Published on Friday 3 July 2009 12:28

About 40 protesters called on Tesco today to press for a better deal for thousands of workers employed by firms that supply it with meat.

The Unite union members demonstrated outside Tesco's annual general meeting (AGM).

In what is claimed to be a first for a British trade union, Unite has tabled a resolution for the company's AGM in Glasgow.

Deputy general secretary Jack Dromey said before the meeting: "There are two questions that Tesco chief executive Sir Terry Leahy must answer.

"Are you personally prepared to meet agency workers from your meat factories so you can hear first-hand of the grim reality of life at work?

"And are you prepared to sit down with Unite and end discrimination in your supply chain?

"The time has come to listen and act."

The union said 50,000 workers for meat producers that supply Tesco – particularly agency and migrant workers – get a raw deal.

Grievances include poor pay, especially for agency workers, and compulsory overtime.

Mr Dromey said: "There is clear evidence of exploitation of migrant agency workers with poorer conditions and pay, and undercutting indigenous workers.

"That toxic combination divides workplaces, damages social cohesion and fuels racism."

The Equality and Human Rights Commission is investigating the multibillion-pound meat industry in England and Wales for evidence of abuse and discrimination against workers.

Tesco said it welcomes the review, in which it said it is fully participating, adding that the issues are industry-wide.