Morrisons warehouse workers to strike in pension row

Unite official say the supermarket has refused to negotiate

Warehouse workers at one of the UK's largest supermarkets are set to strike over "disgraceful" changes to their pensions, union bosses have said.

Close to a thousand members of staff at Morrisons are to walkout from sites in Cheshire and Wakefield on six days in May and June after a vote among members of Unite.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said it came after the employer had forced "unmerited" changes to pension contributions that would leave members worse off.

Morrisons has been contacted for comment.

Staff anger

The strike will be held by those working as warehouse stock controllers, cooks, canteen staff, and administrators for the Bradford-headquartered company.

Staff are to walkout first on 23 May until 26 May, with the second round of strike action planned for between the 13 and 16 June.

It follows a ballot where members voted "overwhelmingly" to walkout, a Unite spokesman said.

The union claimed workers were being forced to increase their pension contributions, while the supermarket reduces its own contributions, which could leave members about £500 worse off.

Other issues in dispute include the removal of a long service award, enforced job role changes, and the implementation of a new "pick rate" which dictates the speed items must be packed from shelves.

Unite national officer Adrian Jones said Morrisons had "refused to negotiate" and would now "witness the anger and ill-feeling of our members".

Ms Graham described the pensions changes as "flagrant profiteering", adding the supermarket was "raking in massive profits".