A dispute between Eddie Stobart and nearly 500 HGV drivers could cause shortages at Morrisons stores.
The HGV drivers employed by Eddie Stobart supplying Morrison’s supermarkets across the north of England are being balloted for strike action over alleged union-busting.
The workers, based at Morrison’s three distribution depots in Wakefield, Stockton-on-Tees and Northwich in Cheshire, have raised the issue over Eddie Stobart’s increasing use of agency drivers to undermine terms and conditions. It claims that around 40% of drivers in Stockton and Northwich are now agency, and Unite feels that instead of hiring new drivers directly when people leave, Eddie Stobart is gradually replacing its unionised workforce with individuals on insecure contracts and significantly diminished terms and conditions.
As well as excluding temporary workers from the collective bargaining rights permanent staff are entitled to, the company has confirmed if it does hire any new directly employed drivers in the future that they will also be on inferior terms and conditions.
The workers are being balloted until 4 June. They are responsible for delivering every type of grocery to Morrison’s supermarkets and strike action would result in empty shelves across the north of England.
Commenting on the dispute between Eddie Stobart and the drivers, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Eddie Stobart’s attempts to undermine drivers’ pay and conditions, creating a race-to-the-bottom on employment standards is appalling.
“This disgraceful union-busting will not be allowed – these workers have Unite’s absolute backing.”
Unite regional officer Neil Howells added: “Morrison’s will be extremely angry that it is facing empty shelves because Eddie Stobart is union-busting. There is still time to avoid strikes, but that will require Eddie Stobart reaching a fair agreement with Unite.”
Morrisons has been approached for comment on the situation.
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