Warehouse staff in Wiltshire working on behalf of frozen food retailer Iceland have announced dates for strike action during the key Christmas trading period.
Members of the Unite union employed by the logistics contractor, GXO, work in the cold storage warehouses that supply Iceland supermarkets across the South West of England. They have rejected a “below-inflation” two-year pay deal offered by GXO.
After voting for strike action in a ballot earlier this month, close to 150 Unite members across two sites in Swindon will now walk out on the 14 – 18 December and then 27 – 30 December.
The union stated that the industrial action would “cripple” GXO’s ability to transport stock to Iceland supermarkets and could see a shortage on shelves and freezers in the run-up to Christmas.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “GXO is a multinational company with billions of pounds of revenue yet pays our members little more than the minimum wage. GXO has made a cynical choice to suppress wages to further boost its already gigantic profits. It needs to urgently reconsider its pay offer to the very workers who generate its income.”
Unite regional officer Paddy Brennan added: “GXO have refused to make an offer that meets our members needs or expectations and now, in the run up to their busiest period of the year, workers will be heading to the picket line.
“Unite will be backing our members in their fight for a pay deal that addresses the cost of living crisis they are suffering. Without them, Mum won’t be going to Iceland for Christmas this year.”
A spokesperson for GXO commented: “We have listened to our colleagues and put a revised offer forward to Unite, which offers extra cash to all colleagues and a higher incentive payment to those who work in the freezer area. We are disappointed Unite have not allowed their members a say on this enhanced offer, which we think is fair and reflects their concerns. We’ll continue to work with Iceland to ensure there is no disruption to supply chain over the festive period.”
NAM Implications:
- Begs the question: What about the guys that don’t have this degree of Union leverage?
