Tesco distribution centres vote overwhelmingly for industrial action in disputes over pay

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Monday, 6 December 2021 18:34

Usdaw members at nine Tesco distribution centres vote overwhelmingly for industrial action in disputes over pay.

In two separate ballots, Usdaw members have voted 73% and 84% in favour of industrial action as a result of disputes over pay. The two ballots separately cover nine Tesco Distribution sites. Following the result, Usdaw has today given notice of a stoppage starting on Monday 20 December and concluding on Christmas Eve.

The two disputes involve over 5,000 Usdaw members at nine Tesco distribution centres in: Daventry Clothing, Goole, Hinckley, Lichfield, Livingston, Magor, Monmouthshire (both trunk and main sites), Peterborough and Southampton. Members had rejected a 4% annual pay increase and Usdaw urges the company to improve the offer to avoid pre-Christmas disruption in stores.

Joanne McGuinness - Usdaw National Officer says: “Our members have sent a clear message, with this high turnout and strong support for industrial action. We hope that the company is listening and that they will return to the negotiating table with a better deal that is acceptable to our members.

“Retail distribution workers are key workers who delivered essential services throughout the pandemic, which in turn delivered a 16.5% increase in profit to Tesco for the first half of the year. These workers deserve a decent pay rise as their reward for what they have done and continue to do day in day out; couple that with the rising cost of living and inflation currently running at 6%, the company needs to do better.

“Industrial action and possible stock shortages in stores in the week before Christmas can be avoided. It needs the company to engage positively in talks with Usdaw and we stand ready to reopen negotiations.”