Clinton Calls On Tesco to Meet With Union (11/6/07)
In a letter to Tesco CEO Sir Terry Leahy, Clinton urged company officials to “sit down with labor representatives as soon as possible” to discuss union demands that Tesco remain neutral during upcoming organizing efforts. Clinton also raised concerns over Tesco’s refusal to sign a community benefits agreement to ensure that its stores provide quality jobs in the neighborhoods where they will do business.
“Tesco has an opportunity to set a standard for the industry in the critical area of labor relations,” Clinton told Leahy. She offered to speak to the British executive personally about Tesco’s labor practices.
“The fact that Sen. Clinton took on this fight is good news for every grocery worker in this country,” said RWDSU President Stuart Appelbaum.
“Tesco has announced that it intends to have 250 American stores in operation by the end of 2008. If those stores are organized it will help protect the living standards of every union grocery store worker in the communities where they're located,” Appelbaum said.
Appelbaum pointed out that Clinton is the only presidential candidate thus far to stand up for workers in the Tesco dispute.
“It’s one thing to give speeches saying you're pro-labor, but another to stick your neck out the way Hillary Clinton has,” Appelbaum said.
However, the RWDSU president quickly added that "since so many people now see Hillary Clinton as the next president, a statement by all of the other candidates put together wouldn't matter nearly as much."