Final written warning for Facebook comments outrageous

Unite Union National Director Mike Treen described as outrageous the decision by Burger King to give a final written warning today to a young worker who posted "Real jobs don't underpay and overwork people like BK does" on a private Facebook page.

"This is a primitive attempt at thought control" said Mike Treen. "Young workers must be able to have private chats and conversations via Facebook without the heavy boots of a multinational fast-food giant stomping on them. A private facebook chat for this generation is no different to a pub conversation to mine. We wouldn't expect to be disciplined for a comment reported back to a company from a private pub conversation and a private facebook chat should be treated no differently.

"What's more her comment is innocuous in any case and what most people know about fast-food employment. In fact being overworked and underpaid is probably a common feeling for most workers in New Zealand.

"Young workers are entitled to freedom of speech and the Union will be taking a personal grievance on Julie's behalf against the decision. We will also be taking up the attempt to besmirch her name with suggestions there was a "history" of disciplinary problems that were being dealt with today". This was rubbish which the union countered in earlier releases. She has had one previous warning from a meeting where she had no representation and we are appealing that also. The sole charge today was of serious misconduct for the Facebook comment for which a final written warning was issued.

The company charge of serious misconduct has triggered outrage on the internet with hundreds joining a Facebook group to support Julie while others are posting critical comments on Burger Kings own Facebook page .

Julie's words "Real jobs don't underpay and overwork people like BK does" have become a slogan - an internet meme - running around the internet.

The discussion came to feature in the comments on the company's own facebook page. The company got so frightened by this it so much so that the company took down its own Facebook page for a period today while they removed negative comments. When it reappeared later it was cleaned up but even late today the criticism continues to pile up.

ENDS

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