The Tesco Worker Campaign has confirmed that the Tesco worker from Newcastle, county Down, in the North, suspended and under disciplinary action for following their conscience and refusing to handle goods from so-called Israel, has been reinsstated by Tesco and the disciplinary dropp
A number of protests took place at Tesco in Letterkenny and at nationwide stores in support of the worker.
The worker has accepted a role where they will not be expected to handle Israeli products. Tesco insists that these goods are legally sourced, a position we vehemently oppose. These products, often labelled misleadingly, help to fund Israel’s ongoing genocide in Palestine. Their distribution has been condemned in a landmark UN report about the economy of genocide.
We want to make it clear to other workers considering action – union support exists. Retail workers’ union USDAW passed a BDS proposition in 2021, recommending they ‘support and protect, with the full force of our Union, any member who wishes on moral grounds to refuse to handle goods originating from the currently occupied lands of Palestine by the State of Israel.’ We expect USDAW to continue representing its members in accordance with this policy; a precedent has now been set.
In 2025, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) stated that workers in Ireland should not be placed in ‘unconscionable situations’ of facilitating trade with Israel or handling Israeli goods while the genocide in Palestine continues. The ICTU has warned: ‘As a movement, we are clear: we will not be found wanting in protecting our members where an employer seeks to discipline or dismiss a worker in such circumstances.’
The actions of the committed and compassionate activists, in Ireland and GB, who turned out every weekend for the past two months in support of this worker and all workers who want to reject genocide goods, have been hugely uplifting. Your support and solidarity has been immense. Thank you.
Our campaign will continue as we aim to support any worker taking a similar stance to this Tesco worker. For anyone who wishes to take action – rest assured that you will have support from across the nation if you follow your conscience, and refuse to play a part in genocide complicity.
We have supported the Tesco worker’s need for anonymity and will continue to do so. Our social media and email will remain open for anyone who wishes to contact us.
Read related article: https://donegalnews.com/protests-at-tesco-letterkenny-in-solidarity-with-suspended-worker/
