AWU media release

Union launches "Paper Cup" appeal for sacked Subway worker

May 6, 2007

The Autonomous Workers Union is launching an appeal to pay legal fees for ex-Subway worker Jackie Lang who has been fired and faces criminal prosecution for sharing her free drink while consoling a friend at the Dunedin fast-food restaurant.

The "Paper Cup" appeal has found great support amongst Dunedin's small businesses who are universally stunned by Subway's behaviour – a half a dozen cafes and bars are already collecting on her behalf.

AWU Organiser Bill Clark says he has never seen such an extreme example of corporate bullying.

"That a giant multinational like Subway would fire and then prosecute a vulnerable worker for sharing a cup of diet coke and think that was a fair response is just unbelievable, they've turned Jackie's life upside down for what seems to be no reason at all.

"The only silver lining to this situation is seeing the way the Dunedin community has got in behind Jackie. That's restored some of her faith in humankind after the cynical treatment she's received from Subway."

Lang has Aspergers syndrome which can sometimes make her interrelations with people a challenge. Clark says Lang's condition made her even more susceptible to Subway's abuse of process.

"Management called her into a meeting without telling her it was a disciplinary, gave her no chance to have representation and then blind-sided her with accusations of theft. She never had a chance.

"At the time Subway implied she'd face prosecution but when we followed it up it turned out they hadn't made a complaint to the police and they didn't until we filed a case against them for unfair dismissal. As far as I can see the criminal charges are a clear attempt to keep her quite about how she was treated by the company."

Lang is due to appear in court on May 21 on charges relating to the drink-sharing and currently has a personal grievance underway over her dismissal.

ENDS

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