Tesco: Distribution centre workers plan pre-Christmas strikes

Up to 1,200 workers at Tesco distribution centres across the UK are set to strike in the run-up to Christmas, the Unite union says.

The workers, including warehouse staff and HGV drivers, are based at sites in Antrim, Belfast, Didcot and Doncaster.

It comes after the supermarket offered a 4% pay rise which Unite said amounted to a "real terms pay cut" due to inflation.

Tesco said the deal was fair and that it would mitigate any disruption.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "Our members have gone above and beyond the call of duty to keep Tesco's shelves filled throughout the pandemic. At the very least the UK's largest and wealthiest retailer should be making our members a decent pay offer."

• Tesco offers £1,000 joining bonus for lorry drivers

She warned the strikes could lead to shortages of some goods, at a time when supermarkets are already struggling to source what they need amid supply chain issues.

According to Unite:

• The Didcot and Doncaster sites will see an initial 48 hour stoppage beginning at 06:00 on 16 December.

• This will be followed by a further five day pre-Christmas stoppage beginning on 20 December.

• There will be a further a 48-hour stoppage beginning on 30 December and a three-day stoppage beginning on 5 January 2022 at Doncaster and Didcot.

• Unite members at the Antrim and Belfast Tesco distribution centres will begin an all-out continuous strike from 07:00 on 16 December.

Unite said the pay rise offered by the firm was "well below" the current retail price index rate of inflation which is 6%.

It is also balloting its members for pre-Christmas strike action at Tesco's distribution centre in Livingston. The ballot closes on Monday.

A Tesco spokeswoman said that customers could be confident it would fulfil it plans over the Christmas period.

"Our distribution colleagues have worked tirelessly through the pandemic in order to keep products moving for customers. The pay offer we have made is a fair recognition of this," she said.

"We welcome the decision by our colleagues at the sites who have voted against industrial action. We are disappointed that some have voted to proceed, and we have contingency plans in place to help mitigate any impacts."