Strikes that were anticipated to impact deliveries to 1,500 convenience stores across London and the south east have been suspended, pending a pay review in January.
The two day strike, which included Thursday 23 December and Christmas Eve, was organised by drivers employed by the Tesco-owned Booker Retail Partners at its Thamesmead site.
However, unite the union announced that the strikes by the 45-strong workforce were now suspended until 31 January so that a review into pay, previously reneged on by the management, could now go-ahead.
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“The Booker management has seen sense and an in-depth review of pay will now happen in January that will take into account the recent pay rises across the sector,” Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said.
“Of course, we wait to see what happens now. Unite remains dedicated to advancing the jobs, pay and conditions of all its HGV driver members, including those at Booker.”
Unite regional officer Paul Travers added: “The review, which was part of the pay deal agreed in October, means we have suspended the strike action this week until 31 January to enable it to take place in a constructive spirit.”
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