An American politician has hit out at Tesco’s US venture, branding it “Fresh & Sleazy” after its alleged mistreatment of workers.
Tesco’s US arm, Fresh & Easy, was criticised by Los Angeles councillor Richard Alarcon, who said the retailer was guilty of "imperialistic thinking" at the launch of a report by the UNI Tesco Global Alliance, which represents Tesco workers in 12 countries.
Tesco is accused of refusing to discuss the possibility of organised labour representation in the US and coercing employees in Thailand and South Korea into working unpaid overtime.
It is also accused of firing workers who wanted to form a union and making employees work 24-hour shifts in Thailand; forcing employees in South Korea to work up to 20 hours a week on unpaid overtime; and making the leaders of a company union resign for settling a long-running labour dispute.
The UNI also said Tesco only employed part-time workers in the US, thereby preventing employees from earning a living wage, and rejected a legitimate recognition request to form a union in one California store.
A Fresh & Easy spokesman told The Telegraph: "Our first priority is our people. That's why we offer good pay, comprehensive health benefits and a competitive retirement plan with company match. The decision to join a union is a decision for our employees.
“If a majority of store employees request to join a union through the democratic process that is fairly laid out by the National Labor Relations Board, we will respect this decision. So far, this has not happened."
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