UK union Unite's motion to address exploitation in the grocery meat supply chain ended today when Tesco shareholders voted against the proposal. The union claimed that workers at Tesco face "harsh and divisive" conditions at the workplace, while the company maintained that it already goes above and beyond in terms of ensuring fair treatment. Unite was not optimistic about the chances of the resolution, recognizing that it was an achievement for it even to appear at the meeting, it being the first time that a UK union managed to get a resolution examined by a major company. The proposal did, however, garner greater support than expected, with 11% of shareholders voting in favor, and 7% abstaining. Unite had expected only about 5% in favor.
See "Union's Tesco challenge defeated", BBC News Online, July 2, 2009