Tesco distribution workers at eight sites across UK have entered a consultative ballot to see if they are prepared to strike over a pay dispute with the supermarket.

The ballot, launched by retail trade union Usdaw, comes as members at all eight sites, which include Hinckley, Magor, Southampton, Daventry Clothing, Goole, Lichfield, Livingston and Peterborough, rejected the supermarket’s pay increase of between 2% plus £500 and 4.4%, depending on contract, along with some additional enhancements.

The consultative ballot will run from 9 to 24 September.

Usdaw national officer Mark Todd said: “Following the overwhelming rejection of Tesco’s final offer, the company has made it clear that they do not intend to reconvene negotiations or make an improved offer at this stage. That means it is now necessary to carry out a consultative ballot, to assess our members’ level of willingness to carry out industrial action.

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“Usdaw members have spoken and made their opinion clear, that the company’s offer is not an acceptable pay increase.

“We are disappointed not to reach an agreed settlement and now have no choice but to move to a consultative ballot. Usdaw remains open to resolving the dispute constructively and we urge the company to get back around the negotiating table.”

Tesco is not the only supermarket facing strikes. Asda has faced a series of strikes at stores including Gosport, Wisbech and Brighton Hollingbury.

Just last week, workers at Asda’s Brighton Hollingbury store called off their second round of strike activity after receiving a last-minute offer from the grocer.

A Tesco spokesperson told Grocery Gazette: “We have made a fair pay offer to colleagues working at our distribution sites, which is equivalent to double the current rate of CPI inflation, and we continue to engage with Usdaw.

“In recent years we have made substantial investments in pay and benefits for our distribution colleagues, with pay increasing by 23% over the past three years.”