Tesco Xmas disruption threat

Unite urged Tesco to revise a ‘pitiful’ pay offer of 0 per cent for 2015 and 1.5 per cent for 2016 today (November 24) to avoid potential industrial action in the run up to Christmas in its distribution network.

Over 700 drivers and warehouse staff at distribution hubs in Belfast and Doncaster will start to be balloted for strike action next week. The strike vote follows an overwhelming 91 per cent rejection of the pay offer across the three sites and comes as Tesco recently posted half yearly profits of ÂŁ354m.

The industrial action ballots close on Friday, December 11, and a vote in favour could see deliveries to Tesco stores in Yorkshire and Northern Ireland disrupted in the run up to Christmas with knock on effects felt across the UK.

“Our members have been working very hard to get Tesco to the position where the company can announce such promising results and be confident that it has turned the corner of the challenges of recent years,” said Unite national officer Adrian Jones.

“We don’t want favours from the company but we believe that the current offer is far below what it can afford and what our members deserve,” he said.

“Unite members don’t want to disrupt anyone’s Christmas shopping but without a proper pay increase thousands of workers will not be able to enjoy their own Christmas in the way they deserve,” Jones added.

“We urge Tesco to revise its pitiful pay offer and avoid potential industrial action in the run up to Christmas.”