Tesco is “risking empty shelves this winter” after sparking a nationwide strike ballot amongst its logistics workers with an “offensive” pay offer, a leading workers' union warned on Thursday (Oct 28).
The ballot of 3,500 Tesco lorry drivers and warehouse workers for strike action at the Belfast, Didcot, Doncaster and Thurrock regional distribution centres comes after Tesco offered them a four per cent pay rise, which was not taken well, workers' union Unite said.
“Tesco made more than £3 billion during the pandemic yet pretends it cannot afford to pay the workers responsible for such staggering profits a decent pay rise,” Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said.
“Offering four per cent is offensive when RPI inflation is running at nearly five per cent. If our members vote to strike, Tesco can expect Unite to go all the way to support their fight for a fair pay rise.”
During negotiations, Tesco has made it clear that it does not believe it needs to substantially raise the wages of lorry drivers. Despite well-publicised driver shortages, the supermarket claims it has a waiting list of 400 drivers keen to work for the company, Unite said.
“Tesco’s management could not have made their disdain for the workers, who ensured the company’s coffers overflowed during the pandemic, any clearer,” Unite national officer Adrian Jones said.
“As well as making massive amounts in 2020, Tesco’s profits jumped by 16.6 per cent during the first half of 2021, while profit forecasts for the full year have also grown. If there is strike action and Christmas shortages, shoppers should know that Tesco’s out and out greed and arrogance are entirely to blame.”
Unite is also lending its support to the 'Take a Break' campaign today (1) by HGV drivers for safety, decency and dignity to be restored to the haulage industry.
