Co-op dispute settled

Co-op drivers have voted by a large margin to accept proposals to settle the dispute over the outsourcing of jobs.

Unite recommended that more than 700 of its members accept the offer hammered out after two days of hard bargaining at Acas before the Easter holiday.

The dispute had centred on the future of the company’s drivers after plans were put forward to transfer 87 Coventry-based drivers to the haulier Eddie Stobart.

There were also further concerns about future outsourcing of Co-op drivers across the UK at Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland; Castlewood, north Derbyshire; Chester-Le-Street, County Durham; Coventry; Inverness; Newhouse, Lanarkshire; Plymouth and Thurrock in Essex.

The transfer for the Coventry Co-op drivers to Eddie Stobart is to go ahead as part of the deal.

Unite national officer for retail distribution, Adrian Jones, said: “We are pleased to announce that our members have voted by a large margin to accept the deal on the table.

New chapter

“We now look forward to a new chapter of constructive dialogue with management and to move forward in a positive fashion for the benefit of the Co-op, their customers and our members.

“We are confident that our members have a secure future with the Co-op and that our concerns about the future of in-house transport have been fully addressed.

 

Firm commitment

“Our members have been given a firm commitment for their future in line with the business’ five-year plan.

“Our members at Coventry, who were transferred to Eddie Stobart, have been given extra assurances that provide confidence for their own futures outside of the Co-op,” said Jones.

Of the 87 affected drivers in Coventry, 67 took a severance package and 20 went to Eddie Stobart, the union said.

A Co-op spokesman said: “We have always maintained our commitment to retaining our in-house operations, and are glad that colleagues have recognised this.”