Tesco and Unite at loggerheads over meat labels

Unite held protests yesterday (11 December) at Tesco stores across the country, under the banner “Every worker counts”, to highlight the lack of information on meat labelling,

The union believes that the use of cheap imported meat is “driving down conditions” for low-paid meat sector employees.

Unite said that label on meat products sourced overseas “often does not tell consumers what they should know about the product they are buying”, and wants Tesco to use its influence to ensure companies in its supply chain adhere to employment standards.

In a statement Tesco said: “Contrary to their claims Tesco has yet to see a shred of evidence from Unite to back up what they say.”

The retailer continued that temporary workers were an “important source of flexible labour” and that its suppliers had very strong standards in place relating to the treatment of workers.

“It is not for Tesco to tell suppliers who they should employ or what terms and conditions they should offer. Unite should take any cases they have up with individual businesses and provide any evidence they have of unfair or poor treatment,” the supermarket giant concluded.

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