The threat of disruption to deliveries to more than 1,500 convenience stores in London and the southeast has moved a step closer after 40 drivers, employed by Booker Retail Partners at its Thamesmead site, voted unanimously for strike action.
The dispute stems from the Tesco-owned wholesaler putting in place a temporary £5 an hour pay uplift for drivers at its Hemel Hempstead depot because of the HGV driver shortage. However, the company then refused to implement a similar uplift for the drivers at the Thamesmead site.
Unite the Union balloted its members over strike action during the last two weeks of August. Following the result announced yesterday, Unite said it was “poised to issue notice” to Booker for strike action, but would allow time for “crunch talks” with the company’s management scheduled for the 21-23 September.
The union highlighted that that any eventual industrial action will deepen the supply shortage crisis hitting many parts of the UK economy because of the lack of HGV drivers. The Thamesmead drivers deliver to independent convenience retailers operating under the Budgens, Londis, and Premier brands.
“This is really ‘smell the coffee’ time for the bosses at Booker Retail Partners. Our members at Thamesmead could not have sent out a clearer message – 100% voting in favour of strike action,” said Unite regional officer Paul Travers.
He stated that if the talks with management later this month don’t result in a fair settlement, there will be strikes with its members “up for a long, drawn-out fight for pay justice”.
A spokesperson for Booker responded: “We are naturally disappointed with last week’s ballot result from our Thamesmead drivers but look forward to sitting down with their Unite representatives and working together to find a resolution.”
NAM Implications:
- ‘crunch talks’ will resolve the issue, hopefully…
- Meanwhile, delivery shortages continue…
- …resulting in brand-switching to fill the gaps.
