Supermarket chain Tesco has faced down a rebel resolution calling for an end to what protesters called the "exploitation and discrimination" of workers.
The Unite union chose the retail giant's AGM as a forum to voice its support for workers employed by firms that supply meat to Tesco.
The resolution, backed by protesters wearing yellow chicken suits and waving placards, was defeated by 89% of votes to 11%.
The calls were part of the union's long-running campaign claiming that some staff in Tesco's supply chain work in "harsh and divisive" conditions.
The union believes structural discrimination exists whereby mostly migrant agency staff are taken on under poorer conditions of employment, undercutting indigenous workers.
Speaking before the AGM, Unite deputy general secretary Jack Dromey said: "The exploitation of migrant agency workers and undercutting of indigenous workers divides workplaces, damages community social cohesion and fuels racism."
He went on: "Tesco leads in size but lags behind competitor supermarkets who are accepting their responsibilities.
"The meat industry will forever be scarred by exploitation, undercutting and discrimination if the dominant player washes its hands of responsibility."
The Equality and Human Rights Commission is conducting an inquiry into the UK's multibillion-pound meat industry in England and Wales for evidence of employment abuse and discrimination.
Tesco said it welcomed the review, in which it was fully participating, adding that the issues were industry-wide.
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