Hundreds of Morrisons workers threaten strike action over pensions, says union

Hundreds of Morrisons workers have threatened to launch strike action over a pension dispute, says Unite union.

The union says “approximately 1,000 Unite members” working at the Morrisons warehouses in Cheshire and Wakefield are taking part in a ballot to decide whether workers will strike to “protect their pensions and take home pay”.

The supermarket giant is being accused of “forcing” through changes to employees’ pensions that could leave them out of pocket by up to £500 a year.

The new change will allegedly force workers to increase their own pension contributions, while the grocery retailer reduces its contributions by the same amount, allowing for workers’ monthly pay packet to be reduced.

Unite national officer Adrian Jones added: “Our members provide a vital service ensuring supermarket shelves are full. Yet Morrisons have decided to unilaterally impose changes to their pensions that will leave them worse off and changes to the conditions that no one wants.

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“Morrisons need to see sense and reverse these changes or they will see the anger of our members on the picket line.”

Other changes the union is objecting against include adopting a “new unpopular pick rate”  – the speed in which warehouse items are packaged – the removal of a service award, and enforced changes to jobs roles.

If voted through, the strike would impact employees whose roles include warehouse stock controllers, cooks, canteen staff, and administrators, which help ensure lorries can be loaded with products for delivery to Morrisons stores across the country.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite is focussed on our members’ jobs, pay and conditions and these unmerited changes to workers’ pensions will leave our members worse off every month.

Morrisons declined to comment.