Tesco staff in strike vow
Staff at Tesco’s distribution centre in Livingston have backed strike action in the run up to Christmas.
The Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (Usdaw) said staff at nine distribution centres across the UK –including at Livingston – had voted in favour of industrial action in a dispute over pay.
The Unite union also says their staff have voted for strike action which includes workers and HGV drivers at the Livingston site.
The move comes after members rejected Tesco’s four per cent pay rise, which Unite says amounts to a“real terms pay cut” due to inflation as the supermarket giant projects an operating profit of £2.6 billion for the current financial year. Unite members will walk out on Monday, December 20 and will not return before Christmas.
General secretary Sharon Graham said: “Tesco is a multi-billion pounds profitable company built on the backs of our members.
“We are talking about the UK’s largest and wealthiest retailer, and the best they offer their workers who have gone above and beyond the call of duty during the
pandemic is a real-terms pay cut. Unite always prioritises the jobs, pay and conditions of its members and it will be giving its full support to our members based in Livingston until this dispute is resolved.”
Unite regional officer, Willie Thomson, added: “It’s time Tesco rewarded its exceptionally hard working and loyal workforce in distribution.
“The workers have kept us fed throughout this pandemic and after contributing to the exceptional profits of Tesco they fully deserve a significant pay rise.
“Tesco needs to put its customers and workforce first, settle this dispute or risk shortages over the festive period.
“Tesco says‘This Christmas nothing is stopping us’. Well with the full support of Unite, nothing is going to stop our members in their fight
for a fair wage deal.”
A Tesco spokesperson said: “Our distribution colleagues have worked tirelessly through the pandemic in order to keep products moving for customers. The pay offer we have made is a fair recognition of this, and is one of the highest awards made within our distribution business in the last 25 years, building on our highly competitive pay and rewards package.
“We welcome the decision by our colleagues at the sites who have voted against industrial action. We are disappointed that some have voted to proceed, and have contingency plans in place to help mitigate any impacts. We have worked hard to deliver Christmas for our customers and are confident we’ll be able to fulfil our plans.”
Tesco said it is maintaining dialogue with Unite and Usdaw.