DHL warehouse strike off

Warehouse workers at DHL Services in West Thurrock, Essex have suspended their strike tomorrow (June 5) over the prospect of a serious deterioration in employment conditions to facilitate talks with their new employer.

The 51 workers, members of Unite, had voted unanimously for the 24-hour strike action as they face poorer working conditions when the contract is taken over by NFT Distribution on Thursday (June 6).

But the strike has now been suspended to allow ‘a window of opportunity’ for talks with NFT Distribution bosses.

The dispute has a number of elements: no union recognition with NFT Distribution; different shift patterns; increased travelling time to the new Tilbury site eight miles away; poorer pension provisions; and failure to guarantee pay, terms and conditions for the rest of the contract.

“Our members, who are predominately warehouse operatives, had voted by 100 per cent to strike tomorrow as they face the prospect of a serious and permanent erosion of their pay and working conditions,” said Unite regional officer Mary Hackwood.

“However, we have suspended the strike tomorrow as an act of goodwill to allow for a window of opportunity for positive talks with the NFT Distribution management.

“But should constructive proposals not be forthcoming from the company, we will have no hesitation in balloting our members again for strike action.”