Tesco workers to launch pre-Christmas strike at NI distribution centres

Warehouse workers and drivers employed by supermarket giant Tesco are to stage a series of strikes in the coming weeks in a dispute over pay.

Unite said more than 1,000 of its members at depots in Antrim, Belfast, Didcot and Doncaster, will take industrial action.

The union said the company had offered a 4% pay rise, describing it as "well below" the current retail price index (RPI) inflation rate of 6%.

The current consumer prices index (CPI) is 4.2%.

Tesco said its offer was one of the highest awards made within its distribution business in the last 25 years.

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.

Unite members at the Antrim and Belfast Tesco distribution centres will launch an all-out, continuous strike from 7am on 16 December.

Unite regional officer George Brash said the action is a "last resort".

“Even at this late stage, it is not too late for Tesco bosses to avoid severe disruption by making a greatly improved offer and returning to the negotiating table,” he said.

Workers at the Didcot and Doncaster sites will strike for 48 hours from 6am on 16 December, followed by a further five-day stoppage from 20 December.

More strikes will be held at the two sites after Christmas.

The union announced that a strike ballot result of its members at Tesco's distribution centre in Livingston, Scotland, will be known on Monday.

If workers vote for industrial action they will be likely to join the strike action before Christmas, said the union.

Unite national officer Adrian Jones said: "Unite is taking strike action as a last resort having exhausted all other options.

"Even at this late stage Tesco could still avoid severe disruption in its stores by returning to the negotiating table and making a greatly improved offer."

A Tesco spokesperson said: "Our distribution colleagues have worked tirelessly through the pandemic in order to keep products moving for customers.

"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.

"We have worked hard to deliver Christmas for our customers and are confident we will be able to fulfil our plans."