The workers, all employed by logistics firm Eddie Stobart, supply Morrisons supermarkets across the north of England.
Operating out of the Bradford-based retailer’s three distribution depots in Wakefield, Stockton-on-Tees and Northwich, Cheshire, the drivers have now agreed to end their strike threat after a deal was struck to put a stop to Eddie Stobart’s perceived “union busting”.
The workers initially voted to strike after deeming Eddie Stobart’s increasing use of agency drivers to be driving down employment standards.
Before a deal was agreed, temporary workers were excluded from the collective bargaining rights permanent staff are entitled to, and according to Unite the Union, the company was planning to hire new directly employed drivers on inferior pay and terms and conditions.
As a result of the strike ballot vote, Eddie Stobart has agreed to reduce its reliance on temporary workers and increase permanent staff, who will be on the same hourly pay rates, allowances, holiday and sick pay entitlements as their colleagues. Consequently, the planned strike action was called off.
“Eddie Stobart was gradually replacing its unionised Morrisons workforce with individuals on insecure contracts and significantly diminished pay, terms and conditions,” Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said.
“The drivers’ strong strike response put an end to that – well done to them. Unite will not tolerate any employer seeking to union-bust or undermine our members’ wages or employment standards.”
Eddie Stobart has been contacted for comment.
