Tesco has agreed to reopen talks with trade union Usdaw, after members across nine distribution centres unanimously voted to strike after pay disputes. 

Warehouse workers and drivers had rejected a four per cent annual pay despite driving profits up by 16.5 per cent and the cost of living rising to six per cent. 

The two disputes involve Usdaw members in Daventry Clothing, Goole, Hinkley, Lichfield, Livingston, Magor, Peterborough and Southampton. 

READ MORE: 6200 Tesco workers set to strike over Christmas

Usdaw has welcomed the talks after 5000 members voted in favour of industrial action over dispute over their annual pay increase. 

“We welcome Tesco’s offer of further talks, which start tomorrow, and we will engage positively to seek a resolution to this dispute,” Usdaw national officer Joanne McGuinness said. 

“Industrial action is always a last resort for our members. We sincerely hope that fresh negotiations can result in an acceptable offer from the business to avoid possible stock shortages in stores in the week before Christmas.”  

Currently, industrial action will go ahead from December 20 to Christmas Eve, as planned.