Tesco Suspends Worried Workers

Following accusations of sexual harassment and racist discrimination at the Tesco Express, St Finnbarr’s, Douglas Road, Cork, the Independent Workers’ Union has been forced to intervene on behalf of its members employed in the store. 

Following these serious issues, a collective grievance was submitted to management and the store manager met with workers. However, after one worker, Alice returned from annual leave, she was told that she was suspended for talking to workers in other shops.

Speaking to Aontacht Media, Alice said, “I've been working here almost a year, and there were serious issues in the shop with the workers who felt there was racist discrimination against some of the workers, and there was sexual harassment going on.”

Workers met individually with Tesco management, but the same management refused to meet them collectively. As a result, workers decided to take the next step and gave a notice of strike action. 

Alice further said, “They also sent out an email to all the workers in the shop saying that any colleague participating in the strike action will be considered absent without leave and therefore will not be paid for failing to attend work. Such an action will also be considered a serious breach of our policies and a failure to follow correct and established procedures, the details of which have already been provided to you.”