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Date updated : 06-Jun-2012

Status: closed

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Stop union-busting at KFC Bermuda!

The Bermuda Industrial Union (BIU) is calling for international support in its fight to repulse union-busting at the fast food chain Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), where the union has represented workers for close to 40 years. In its effort to unilaterally dictate terms and conditions to its employees, the company has attacked the union, government arbitration and the collective bargaining system itself.

Last fall, when bargaining negotiations deadlocked over the union's refusal to accept reduced terms and conditions, KFC announced its attention to terminate the collective agreement despite the workers' wish to continue being represented by the BIU. The dispute simmered, and in May this year the government referred the case to arbitration. While arbitration was pending, KFC Bermuda (KFCB) on May 18 informed all employees that it was henceforth doing business under a new name (Kentucky Fried Chicken Operations, KFCO), followed this up with a letter informing employees that they were to accept a unilateral "Statement of employment" or be considered to have resigned from their jobs, and has aggressively and arrogantly told the government that it will not refrain from unilaterally altering terms and conditions of employment or employing workers under a new company name pending arbitration!

The union is determined to defend its members rights, and fears the contagion effect on industrial relations generally if KFC is allowed to defy the union and the government. You can support their struggle - use the form below to send a message to the company and to the CEO of parent company Yum! Brands, David Novak, whose 2011 compensation hit USD 20.4 million (Yum!)