HGV drivers who operate out of Sainsbury’s distribution depot in Basingstoke have won a 12% pay rise after their union agreed a deal with the supermarket group.
Around 200 drivers at the Hampshire site voted by 92% in favour of the one-year agreement negotiated by Unite. The union noted that the deal was above the real rate of inflation, currently at 11.8%, and was won without industrial action.
Over the past year, a shortage of HGV drivers has contributed to supply problems at supermarkets. Unions have also been battling with the likes of Tesco and Asda to secure significant pay rises for distribution workers amid the growing cost of living crisis.
Unite said the Basingstoke agreement was a local one and had come about because its members had organised and gone into negotiations with management.
Unite would not reveal the exact details of the pay agreement, but its general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This is another great deal won by Unite and demonstrates that even in this cost of living crisis, Unite is winning better jobs, pay and conditions for our members.”
A spokesperson for Sainsbury’s commented: “We regularly review our colleague pay and benefits and are committed to continuing to engage with the union as part of that.”
NAM Implications:
- A pointer for others…
- …and more to come?
- Inflation of 15% coming into winter?
