Ban on Baiada chickens at Coles

Update on dispute by Sue Bolton
http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/49497

Read background.

Sarel Singh was 34 years old. He was a loving husband and newly immigrated from India. In August last year he was decapitated in a gruesome workplace accident.

It was the second death in six years at -- Baiada Select Poultry a company repeatedly found guilty of failing to provide systems free from health and safety risks [1].

There have also been regular concerns raised about the illegal exploitation of Baiada’s mostly migrant workforce — workers report management bullying, sexual harassment and cash-in-hand contracts below minimum wage [2]. Baiada has been deaf to repeated investigations — they remain focused on their $1 billion+ revenue, and aren’t budging on the needed workplace reforms. We can change this — if Baiada’s biggest customers stop buying their chicken, they will be forced to improve safety and standards.

Unbelievably, Coles Supermarkets source 80% of their chicken from these unsafe and allegedly exploitative factories.

But there’s more — Coles claims to adhere to an ethical sourcing policy that guarantees basic wages, health and safety standards in the factories that supply their produce [3].

Jade Cruse is a Coles shopper who isn’t buying such hypocrisy. She’s started a petition calling on Coles to actually implement their ethical sourcing policy and do what the policy demands — guarantee basic standards at supplier factories, or suspend purchases until that happens.

In just the last 24 hours the media attention has surged — putting a spotlight on Baiada’s working conditions. Unless we act now the chance will pass by — join with Jade and sign the petition to Coles CEO Ian McLeod before it’s too late:

http://www.change.org/petitions/stop-buying-chicken-from-killer-factory-with-below-minimum-wage-workers

Baiada is increasingly being exposed for its “horrific” working environment [4] as workers refuse to work in such conditions and news outlets expose the issue.

But big companies like Coles that buy chicken from Baiada are complicit in these practices — they’re directly funding Baiada’s $1 billion+ annual surplus and by turning a blind eye to these practices are making it profitable to exploit workers. Unless we act now they’re going to get away with it.

Coles has built its brand on being family friendly and customer focused — and they’re currently locked in a huge battle for customers with competitive supermarket chain Woolworths.

Every customer is crucial to them, and they want to make sure they continue to be seen as a family friendly shopping destination.

Imagine their reaction to a massive public outcry — lead by petition creator and Coles shopper Jade Cruse — calling on them to stop funding the alleged exploitation of workers and unsafe working environments. They’ll be desperate to preserve their reputation and will apply the pressure needed to get Baiada to fix working conditions.

See earlier posts on the strike and picket line at Baiadas.

Here is an ACTU press release

Baiada must stop the legal threats and listen to workers’ concerns about secure jobs

20 November, 2011 | Media Release
The management of Baiada Poultry must acknowledge low-paid employees’ concerns about insecure work and participate in negotiations for secure jobs, a safer workplace and decent pay and conditions, say unions.

ACTU President Ged Kearney said the stalemate at Baiada’s chicken processing plant at Laverton in Melbourne’s west would only be resolved when management put a genuine offer to the workforce, who are taking collective action for an agreement which would include the rights for all workers at the plant to have secure jobs.

“It has not been easy for these workers to take this action but they are determined to improve the conditions of all workers and stop the erosion of secure jobs through casuals, labour hire, and cash-in-hand contractors,” said Ms Kearney, who will address a community rally at the Baiada plant this afternoon.

“They want a workplace where rights are respected, with decent pay and conditions, and better health and safety.

“It is time Baiada put aside its legal threats, told its high-paid lawyers to back off, and acknowledged these workers have genuine concerns that should be heard.

“Poultry processing is dangerous and unpleasant work, and these employees are paid minimum wages for their contribution towards the Baiada group’s annual turnover of well in excess of a $1 billion.

“All workers have the right to a secure job for a better future, and Baiada workers are taking action for those rights.”