Strike ballot plans for Sainsbury's lorry drivers

Union members are set to be balloted from Monday

Sainsbury's lorry drivers are voting on whether to take industrial action that could bring "severe disruption" to supermarket deliveries, according to their union.

The ballot comes amid a dispute between the supermarket and members of Unite in Birmingham and Essex, who say their jobs are being outsourced, threatening their status as direct employees of the supermarket chain and the benefits that brings.

There are plans to transfer about 500 jobs to Wincanton at the end of April, members have said.

Sainsbury's stated it was "committed to further talks".

Workers have said their benefits include a 15% Sainsbury's discount card worth up to £1,600 a year in savings, as well as shares and incentive schemes.

The ballot opens on Monday and closes on 11 March.

If industrial action goes ahead, it is predicted to cause disruption to deliveries linked to distribution centres in Coleshill, Warwickshire; Birmingham; and Waltham Abbey, Essex.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "Sainsbury's is attempting to outsource its staff on the cheap. Meanwhile, its profits continue to grow. This is corporate greed pure and simple. Sainsbury's lorry drivers have their union's total support."

A Sainsbury's spokesperson said: "We are committed to further talks. In the meantime we can reassure our customers we have contingency plans in place to minimise any disruption, should the action go ahead."