GXO draymen call off nationwide strikes
Strikes across the country by 1,000 GXO draymen responsible for delivering beer some of the UK’s biggest brands have been suspended following an improved pay offer.
A pay increase of 4% by GXO will now be voted on by Unite members, which the union recommended they accept.
Called off
Strikes scheduled for Tuesday 24 August and Thursday 2 September have been called off while the ballot, which opens on 23 August and closes 31 August, is carried out.
Unite national officer for food, drink and agriculture Joe Clarke said: “Our members keep the nation’s beer pumps flowing and pint glasses filled, and they deserve a fair pay rise. We believe GXO’s offer of 4% cent delivers this and will be recommending that our members accept the deal.
“All industrial action has been suspended while we conduct this democratic process. We had a very strong mandate for industrial action and Unite is pleased the company have recognised the need for this offer.”
Previous vote
Union members voted 97% for strike action and 99% for industrial action short of strike over the company’s pay offer – a 1.4% rise for 2021, which Unite claimed was well below the current retail price index inflation rate of 3.9%.
According to Unite, its members were responsible for 40% of the beer deliveries to pubs and other hospitality outlets across the UK.
Meanwhile, the Government has been pressured to take immediate steps to solve the heavy goods vehicle driver shortage and ease the unsustainable pressure placed on supply chains.
In a letter written to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy co-signed by the BRC, Logistics UK chief executive David Wells called on the Government to implement three key policies to help support supply chains.
