XPO Logistics drinks delivery drivers are threatening strike action over a “paltry” pay offer.
About 1000 drivers are protesting the company’s offer of a pay increase of 1.4 per cent for 2021, far below the current 3.9 per cent rate of inflation.
Drivers for the company are responsible for around 40 per cent of beer deliveries across the UK and deliver popular brands such as Heineken.
The strike could eventually result in a “beer drought” across the country is members voted in favour of it.
According to trade union Unite, drivers are also expressing anger over the loss of £8000 to £10,000 during the past year due to the combination of furlough and lack of overtime, as well as no increase in wages over 2020.
Unite also claimed workers are also complaining that company bosses are removing all Covid-secure cleaning procedures at a time when cases are “rocketing alarmingly.”
It said that the company had been offered a “manageable inflation increase”, which has since been rejected.
“Our members have suffered great financial hardship during the pandemic with some of them losing up to £10,000 through being furloughed and picking up no overtime,” Unite drinks industry national officer Joe Clarke said.
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“The company has responded by offering a paltry 1.4 per cent which is well below the current RPI inflation rate of 3.9 per cent.
“Meanwhile, the drivers, their ‘mates’ and warehouse staff are working flat out currently to meet the high demand for beer volumes in our pubs as society reopens.
“However, a beer drought could result if our members vote for industrial action because they make 40 per cent of the beer deliveries in the country.”
Clarke added that this disruption would be on top of the ‘pingdemic’, that is already hitting the sector.
He said: “We call upon the company to engage in meaningful negotiations regarding a decent pay increase for our members.
“Separately, the company has ceased all Covid-secure cleaning processes for our drivers which is ridiculous as infection rates soar.
“This move is aimed at cutting times for driver deliveries in an unsafe way.
“It is an act of corporate irresponsibility.”
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