M&S and Waitrose milk product sales are at risk due to HGV drivers going on strike at the Stonehouse Müller factory in Gloucestershire.
The workers are striking over ‘excessive’ rota demands imposed by FMCG giant Müller milk.
Nearly 70 staff, responsible for delivering milk, flavoured milk and potted cream to M&S and Waitrose nationwide, will strike on 25, 26 and 27 August and 1, 2 and 3 September.
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A change to a – five days on, two days off – rota system violates an agreement with trade union Unite signed by Müller earlier this year, the union said.
The strikes will disrupt the supply chain of milk products to the Müller sites’ main customers M&S and Waitrose.
Supplies to Sainsbury’s and Tesco, which also receive deliveries from the Stonehouse plant, could also be disrupted.
More strikes will be set if the dispute is not resolved.
“The company have deliberately broken an agreement ratified with Unite earlier this year that expressly stated rotas would not change,” Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said.
“Unite will defend our members’ jobs, pay and conditions with the full force of the union. Müller signed an agreement – it must stick to it.”
Unite regional officer Amy Roberts added: “Müller is acting in very bad faith and this behaviour will now impact their customers.
“Our members are resolute in their determination to force the company to abide by the original agreement. They will not stand for such attacks on their work/life balance. Müller needs to scrap these excessive rota demands.”
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