UK: Delivery drivers & warehouse workers balloted on strike action over pay disputes; incl. company comments
In 2021 and 2022, warehouse workers and delivery drivers across the UK voted on industrial action, following separate pay disputes with their employers. Many of these workers supplied supermarkets including Tesco, Morrisons and Sainsburys, and Jaguar Land Rover.
Around 90 DHL drivers and warehouse workers in Bellshill, Scotland were prepared to strike after 88% of workers affiliated with Unite Scotland rejected a pay offer from the company, following an initial offer of a 9% pay rise over two years. The workers were also in dispute with DHL over its failure to improve working hours for drivers and their wider terms and conditions.
In addition, Unite the Union announced 140 DHL drivers in the South West supplying Sainsbury's were to vote on industrial action, after the drivers were offered a "miserly" pay increase of 3% over 18 months.
Meanwhile, DHL workers at Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) plants voted in favour of strike action. According to Unite the Union, their members had received no pay rise since 2018. This comes after reports in August 2021 that DHL workers at JLR plants in Solihull and Castle Bromwich would be balloted for strike action after 'hundreds' of drivers and warehouse workers were allegedly owed up to £800 in arrears, due to incorrect pay slips as a result of the company's use of flexible furlough.
Furthermore, Tesco distribution centres across the UK were balloted on industrial action in response to an 'offensive' pay rise offer of 4%. In December 2021, Usdaw and Unite the Union announced their members, totalling 6,200 staff across 13 distribution centres, had voted to stage pre-Christmas strikes. Both unions announced in December that strikes would be called off, after agreeing to a new pay offer from Tesco.
In Northwich and Wakefield, workers employed at Morrisons supermarket distribution centres had begun balloting for industrial action, after the workers were offered an 'entirely unacceptable' pay offer from the supermarket. Most workers were reportedly offered a 3% increase, although the lowest paid were offered 2%.
GMB union also announced Asda distribution workers would be balloted for strike action, after the company failed to give staff a 'meaningful' pay offer. In December 2021, 94% of Asda warehouse workers and LGV lorry drivers voted to strike in the new year.
In 2022, thousands of Asda lorry drivers, warehouse staff & clerical workers voted to reject pay rises of between 5% and 7.5%.
Company comments can be found below