Threats To Boycott Woolworths!

[tec0]

AT EXACTLY 7.20pm on Thursday, I received a letter from Woolworths CEO Ian Moir. In the letter he reassures me that the racism that Woolworths is accused of is actually affirmative action and employment equity. Fair, then.

But why is Woolworths going out of its way then to "allay" the fears in me? I am not even participating in the so-called boycott by Solidarity. And if the company is following employment equity to the T, why apologise and reassure me ? Is employment equity not a legal statute and a government redress programme, also enshrined in the Constitution? So, what is this?

Here is my take. Woolworths and all other South African companies (put the South African Rugby Union and South African Airways in the mix) are cowards. Yes. Is the minority, who have lots of money, more important than the aspirations of millions of people? Is the 5% of the population more important than the other 95%? Is Solidarity voting with its wallet?

Can I demand that Woolworths retracts the statement or else? Why is Woolworths falling for the school-boy bulling of Solidarity? Is Woolworths’ clientele only Solidarity members? Well, I am not and I spend quite a bit at Woolworths. Should we sit around watching the aspirations of the majority being stifled because they do not have the "pulling power" of money?

What is the difference here compared to the situation at Marikana/ Lonmin? Had the miners belonged to the same race group as Solidarity, would their strike have been resolved by now? I guess, or else we withdraw our investments. This is sad.

Source

A lot or relevant questions here and very little answers?

[tec0]

Dear Woolworths customer. You may be aware that over the past few days Woolworths has been accused of racist recruitment practices – specifically, of not employing white people.

We want to reassure you that this is simply not true.

The rumours apparently were sparked by some of our recruitment ads that designate certain posts for certain groups, and are being fuelled by an organisation that has called on its members to boycott us.

We thought you’d like to hear the facts:

n Woolworths does employ white people. We employ women and men of all races, as well as people with disabilities, and will continue to do so.

n We’re a passionately South African company, so diversity is important to us. So is offering fair career opportunities. There are some areas of our business where certain groups are seriously underrepresented. These are the positions where we actively look for qualified candidates from specific groups.

n Most other businesses do the same to bring diversity into their workforces. In fact, in South Africa all businesses that have more than 50 employees are required to do this.

n We believe the responsible thing to do is to be open and transparent in our recruitment ads about the type of candidates we are looking for. Integrity is one of the values we hold dear.

As a born-and-bred South African company, we care deeply about the long-term sustainability of our country.

With your help we have made significant contributions, through programmes like MySchool, to socio-economic development. We will continue supporting transformation and socio-economic development because they are essential for our country’s (and our company’s) future.

Ian Moir

chief executive

, Woolworths

Source


The other side of the coin?

Now I cannot help but wonder if the job advertisement...

[Dave A]

A classic in the art of manipulative word play.

Dear Woolworths customer. You may be aware that over the past few days Woolworths has been accused of racist recruitment practices – specifically, of not employing white people.

We want to reassure you that this is simply not true.

As far as I know, Solidarity accuses Woolworths of unlawful, unfair racial discrimination, not racism.

Probably a good time to point out the difference between

racism: the belief that all members of each race possess characteristics, abilities, or qualities specific to that race, especially so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or races

and

racial discrimination: "The term "racial discrimination" shall mean any distinction, exclusion, restriction or preference based on race, colour, descent, or national or ethnic origin which has the purpose or effect of nullifying or impairing the recognition, enjoyment or exercise, on an equal footing, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural or any other field of public life".

[ians]

By the time the food arrives in the store it is already prepacked and sealed, so i have no idea what happens behind the scenes. We in SA dont get export quality products, we get the left overs, could it be that Woolworths on the other hand get export quality food and thats why they stand out from the competitors.

[Mike C]

Quite a long time ago we heard that Woolies food is irradiated to keep it fresher for longer. Don't know whether it is true or not, but might have a link to it being on the list that ians mentioned.

[cyppok]

Quite a long time ago we heard that Woolies food is irradiated to keep it fresher for longer. Don't know whether it is true or not, but might have a link to it being on the list that ians mentioned.

http://www.ehow.com/facts_5890559_argon-gas-used-food-processing_.html

I remember watching a documentary on industrial processing etc... In some way a lot of things are "zombified" to slow the progression of decay, but as soon as you open the container and oxygen gets in the process of decay is very rapid. It is like a mummy being exposed to time and elements in a fast forward fashion. In some aspect

You might also try to search for "hydrogenated fat" basically they are 'expanded' for more bulk/weight etc at the cost of your health here ya go link
http://www.umm.edu/features/tips.htm

Trans fatty acids are also called hydrogenated fats. When you add hydrogen to liquid vegetable oil and then add pressure, the result is a stiffer fat, like the fat found in a can of Crisco. Trans fats are also called hydrogenated fats. Public health experts warn that these kinds of fats clog arteries and cause obesity.

They add other stuff besides argon for letuce packages and other veggies don't remember though.

Processed meat is usually a lot of filler and normal meat is generally ok I think.

Argon
Hydrogenation
There ya go. http://www.time-to-run.com/nutrition/worstfoods.htm (I don't believe in running but walking is ok)

Olestra
Olestra is a fake fat, used to make non-fat potato chips and other snacks. You’d think, with all the bad rap fat has gotten, a non-fat fat would be great. But Olestra has been shown to bind with fat-soluble vitamins A, E, D and K and carotenoids — substances thought to keep the immune system healthy and prevent some cancers — and to eliminate them from your system. Proctor & Gamble, the company that produces olestra, has acknowledged the problem with vitamins A, E, D and K and is now fortifying it with them. Olestra has also caused digestive upset in some people, especially when they eat a lot of it. Often, it’s not just fat in the potato chips that causes problems for people; it’s the fact that they are displacing healthier foods, such as fruit, so Olestra can just perpetuate an unhealthy habit.

Nitrates

Many foods, especially cured meats such as bacon and hot dogs, use nitrates to preserve color and maintain microbial safety. Nitrate is harmless, but it can convert to nitrite, which can form nitrosamines, a powerful cancer-causing chemical, in your body. Whenever possible, look for nitrate-free preserved meats. When you do eat foods containing nitrates, have a glass of orange juice at the same time (for instance, orange juice with your morning bacon). Vitamin C is known to inhibit the conversion to nitrosamines in your stomach.

(Nitrate is not harmles... in my view)

Monosodium glutamate, also known as sodium glutamate or MSG
Not sure how bad it is but some of my friends have reactions to it and it basically makes you think the food you are eating is yummy due to hormone imprinting taste (while the food could be crap)....

There are a few others but I am sorry these 5 are what comes to mind.

[Just Gone]

As far as I know, Solidarity accuses Woolworths of unlawful, unfair racial discrimination, not racism

And plenty of people will still shop in Woolworths - why ? because their food is better - they have a higher standard than some of the others - they remove food when it reaches its expiry date, not move it to the front so hoping that the next customer will buy it - I have seen them remove food on more than one occasion on the exact expiry date - so people say what they want - they will still continue to shop at woolies - my wife and myself included.

[ians]

And plenty of people will still shop in Woolworths - why ? because their food is better - they have a higher standard than some of the others - they remove food when it reaches its expiry date, not move it to the front so hoping that the next customer will buy it - I have seen them remove food on more than one occasion on the exact expiry date - so people say what they want - they will still continue to shop at woolies - my wife and myself included.

Funny you should say this, a friend of mine got cancer a couple of years ago, she was given six months to live, but once they did the operations, informed her she only had a couple of months. The doctor instructed her to stay away from certain food, and woolworths food was on the list, she did and managed to live 2 more years.

[Just Gone]

I had about 9 pages typed out and just deleted them

9 PAGES !!!! ..... well in a way I am glad you deleted it - not sure if I could have got thro that !!! ....... but I'm sure you felt better after that ....

[ians]

There is a time in a persons life when you need to start looking at certain things, 18 for example you shouldnt be worrying about heart attacks, but when you get to your late 40s, then it is time to start taking note. I have reached that point, late 40s, this year alone i have been rushed to ER twice for chest pains.

I have been watching a dvd some gave me yesterday, about health and foods we eat, health care and stats on deaths from heart related incidents, cancer etc. I must say it has been a bit of an eye opener. Some of the tested carried out on rats and what they use to make the rats fat so that they can do the experiments, and yes it is what we, or should i say a large population of the world eat.
They go into deatil about "fat free" products, sugar, i think it was msg, but stand to be corrected.

One of the things which stood out the most in the DVD and i am gulit of this, you are prepared to spend R4000 a month on a nice motor vehicle , yet spending a R1000 looking after your health is just not part of your monthly budget. What good is the motor vehicle to me if i die of a heart attack.

I have decided to do some research into a healthier life style, whether or not i actually change my lifestyle, only time will tell, if i live long enough.


I am not looking for a diet, been there and done that, lost 20 + kg walked my way to a healthier way of life, but lost the way and am back, 30 kg heavier and as lazy as can be. Waking up at 4.30 am is just not part of my daily routine anymore. It is so sad, in fact it is depressing, to a point that i just dont have the motivation anymore to get up and just do it. Maybe a heart bypass will spook me enough to get me off my lazy ass.