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UNI Tesco Union Alliance re-affirms commitment to dialogue

Published: 5 March 2010
Google translate: 

The Alliance meeting enabled a broad discussion on developments in Tesco globally.



At the meeting, UNI and all Alliance members re-affirmed their commitment to the Alliance, its goals and principles to:


  • Commit to an Alliance that is cohesive, shares information and that works together.
  • Grow unions and gain recognition rights everywhere.
  • Promote decent work.
  • Establish a global dialogue with Tesco.
  • Create a fair playing field throughout Tesco for the employees in all countries to organise and negotiate.



Alliance members were pleased to see improvements in Thailand and Korea after the publication of reports last year which raised strong concerns about Tesco’s inconsistent labour practices around the world. It was agreed that the Alliance will develop a growth strategy in all countries and to assist local recruitment efforts in Tesco around the world.



The Alliance welcomed the establishment of an EWC the work of which should benefit Tesco unions globally. Alliance members will work to build cohesive union participation in the EWC.

The President of TEZ-KOOP-IS (Turkey), Gürsel Dogru reported that the great majority of Tesco Kipa workers had chosen to be represented by his union and that the union had continously reached out to Tesco Kipa in order to establish a local dialogue. Without success! Alliance members were disturbed to learn that as the union grew the opposition to union organising from the company has escalated. This presents a clear breach of Tesco’s global policy to respect the right of workers to organise.

The Alliance called for Tesco Kipa management to recognise the representativity of the union and to reach a voluntary agreement.

The Alliance expressed its frustration at the continuing difficulties faced in the USA by the UFCW. There is continuing evidence of obstacles to union organisation and no dialogue with the company. The UFCW will continue its efforts to organise workers and re-affirmed its readiness to meet with Tesco management.

The next Alliance meeting will take place in 2011 in Los Angeles (USA).











In the picture: Alan Spaulding (UFCW), Philip Bowyer (UNI),

Alke Boessiger (UNI Commerce) and John Hannett (Usdaw)