Pt. Loma Fresh & Easy Opens Amid Protest

Protesters at the Pt. Loma Fresh & Easy

By Anthony Saavedra

More than 125 union members came out to protest the Aug. 13 opening of Tesco’s Fresh & Easy store in Pt. Loma.

Members carried signs that read “I Won’t Shop at Fresh & Easy” throughout the store’s parking lot and in front of the entrance.

The company, which has been called the Wal-Mart of Europe, is continuing its anti-worker practices in the United States.

“We’re used to our jobs going overseas for lower pay and worse working conditions,” Labor Council Secretary-Treasurer Lorena Gonzalez told the crowd.  “Now they want to bring their low-paying jobs into our country and not let their employees organize.”

Also of concern to Fresh & Easy critics is the company’s automatic checkout stands.  This makes it difficult to ensure that everyone who purchases alcohol is of legal age. 

The company also has a long history of violating health codes.

Tesco stores in the United Kingdom have been found to sell expired meat products, “organic” goods with pesticides on them and have altered expiration dates on product labels.

When combined with its treatment of workers, Fresh & Easy’s questionable health safety record makes the stores ripe for critics.

Several members of the building trades quickly observed first hand the store’s disregard for safety.  After just a few minutes picketing outside the store, a Fresh & Easy employee was seen walking along the edge of the roof without any safety restraints.  As the man reached over the side to tighten the banner hanging from the roof, the members of the building trades stood horrified.

“All it takes is one strong gust of wind and he’ll fall right off,” one member of the building trades said.

For more information on Fresh & Easy’s questionable history, visit www.freshandeasyfacts.com.