The Industrial Workers of the World welcome the news of a victory for our fellow worker at Tescos, Newcastle, Co Down following a 3 month suspension and disciplinary action for refusing to handle Israeli products.
News of the Tesco Worker’s victory, came following the welcomed announcement that a number of Filton hunger strikers had also ended their brave lengthy action.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the IWW Ireland Branch said, “This is a victory that will be welcomed, not only by the fellow worker directly involved and their family, but also the labour movement in Ireland.
“This is undoubtedly a victory unpar with that of the Dunnes Stores strikers, in that it will give further strength and solidarity to the growing BDS and anti-apartheid movement, and their demands. Equally it will further assist the labour movement at an important time for grassroots activists on the shop floor. It, too, will give workers the strength to know that they too can stand up and refuse to handle products from the apartheid Israeli regime during a period of unfolding genocide in Palestine.
“Workers must know that they are not alone. We must take away important lessons from this action. We have to fight to defend all workers who refuse to handle Israeli goods. Workers will receive support and solidarity from the trade union movement, if they too decide to refuse and resist Israeli products wherever they work.
“As a union, the IWW Ireland Branch once again extend our love and solidarity with our fellow worker, and to each and everyone who participated in the campaign, expressing their support and solidarity over the past number of months. Without you, this victory today would not have been possible. In all areas of struggle as we move forward, in the workplace or on the streets, we must remember that an injury to one, is an injury to all!”
In an official statement issued by the Tesco Worker Campaign on the victory for the Tesco Worker, it read:
The Tesco Worker Campaign can now confirm that the Tesco worker from Newcastle, Co. Down, suspended and under disciplinary action for following their conscience and refusing to handle goods from so-called Israel, has been REINSTATED by Tesco and the DISCIPLINARY DROPPED.
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.
In solidarity,
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Tesco Worker Campaign
Free Palestine
