Friendly fire: Wendy’s shareholder takes fast-food giant to court for refusal to join Fair Food Program!

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Tens of thousands of consumers across the country have gotten on the boycott bus since the launch of the Wendy’s boycott earlier this year, including this contingent from the Unitarian Universalists.

Pomerantz Law, a major player in the world of finance, files derivative action against the directors of Wendy’s  for turning “a blind eye to human rights abuses by suppliers of tomatoes used in its products.”

From a press release issued by Pomerantz Law Firm announcing its lawsuit against Wendy’s board of directors last week:

… According to the lawsuit, Wendy’s board of directors (the “Board”) has turned a blind eye to human rights abuses by suppliers of tomatoes used in its products. These human rights abuses to farm workers include human trafficking, physical abuse, involuntary confinement, starvation wages, debt bondage, and sexual abuse. By refusing to join the FFP, Wendy’s Board has flouted industry standards and actively undermined the FFP—which has been lauded by the White House, the United Nations, and other non-profits as a successful and innovative model to uncover and prevent modern-day slavery.

Gustavo F. Bruckner, a partner at Pomerantz and head of the firm’s corporate governance department, stated, “It is disgraceful and outrageous that in this day and age, Wendy’s would be complicit with these kinds of reprehensible business practices. It simply shocks the conscience.” read more

The press release was picked up by papers from Miami to San Diego.  This is a developing story and we will bring you more details as they become available.  

But for now it suffices to say that it is one thing when tens of thousands of consumers call for verifiable respect for human rights in Wendy’s supply chain and the company’s executives choose to turn a deaf ear to their petitions.  But it is another thing altogether when Wendy’s owners — the countless shareholders who provide the capital for the company to function — decide to use their voice to denounce Wendy’s refusal to join the Presidential Medal-winning Fair Food Program.  

Should be an intriguing story to follow…