Disruption to Asda’s supply chain during the key Christmas trading period has been avoided following a pay deal with HGV drivers.
Over 80 lorry drivers employed by Wincanton on an outsourced contract and responsible for delivering food to Asda’s regional distribution centres around the country had begun to ballot for industrial action in a dispute over pay.
However, following the announcement of the ballot by the Unite union, fresh negotiations were held. As a result, a “vastly improved” deal of a 9.5% increase was agreed upon, giving a basic pay rate of £14.97 per hour.
“This was an important win for our members at Wincanton, who were not prepared to endure low pay rates any longer,” said Unite general secretary Sharon Graham. “Unite’s commitment to always focus on the jobs, pay and conditions of its members is paying off.”
A Wincanton spokesperson said: “We are pleased to have reached a resolution that satisfies all parties.”
However, Asda still faces potential disruption in its stores after the GMB Union announced last week that it had begun balloting tens of thousands of shop floor workers in a dispute over pay.
Union leaders have highlighted that Asda is again the worst paying of the big four supermarkets after the other retailers recently gave staff further pay rises to help with the rising cost of living.
NAM Implications:
- Whew! One fire fought…
- Now for the shop floor workers…
- A pointer for UK industry…
