More than 1,000 Tesco workers to strike in lead up to Christmas

Antrim, Belfast, Didcot and Doncaster will take industrial action

Author: Demi OlutunmogunPublished 6th Dec 2021

Tesco warehouse workers and drivers at four depots are set to strike before Christmas employed by Tesco are to stage a series of strikes in a dispute over pay.

Unite said more than 1,200 of its members at depots in Antrim, Belfast, Didcot and Doncaster, will take industrial action.

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

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

The union has 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 UK's largest and wealthiest retailer should be making our members a decent pay offer'

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 always prioritises the jobs, pay and conditions of its members and it will be giving its full and total support to our members at Tesco until this dispute is resolved."

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

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

If your favourite music icons are the Spice Girls and your favourite Ks are Kylie and the Kardashians, you need heat Radio in your life! heat Radio is portable, so you can listen to us on the move. Simply download our app from your phone’s app store, listen online at heatradio.com and at heatworld.com. We’re on all the smart speakers too, just say “play heat Radio".