More than 3,000 Tesco warehouse workers and HGV drivers have now ended their strike threat after accepting a 4.5% pay rise from the supermarket chain.
Unite the Union says the deal was agreed after workers began balloting for strike action, although ultimately no industrial action was taken.
The agreement will see around 700 workers in Didcot, 400 in Belfast, 600 in Doncaster and 1,400 in Thurrock benefit from the pay rise after they voted to accept Tesco’s offer.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Well done to Tesco’s distribution workers who secured this pay rise because they are unionised. Unite’s top priority is defending and improving our members’ jobs, pay and conditions.”
The strike threat made by workers earlier in the summer could have caused significant disruption to Tesco stores across the UK. The dispute arose after store staff were granted a 5.1% pay increase.
Tesco distribution workers had previously rejected an offer of a 4% increase before settling on the current agreement.
The UK’s largest supermarket chain reported adjusted operating profits of £3.2 billion for 2025/26 and forecasts adjusted operating profit of between £3 billion and £3.3 billion for 2026/27.
Despite the threat of disruption to its distribution network, Tesco said it had measures in place to avoid any impact on stock availability.
Unite national officer for road transport and logistics Adrian Jones said: “This result is prime example of why those who want better wages and working lives should join Unite and organise their colleagues to join as well. There is power in a union.”
