Peace at Christmas as Booker strike latest to be called off

The planned two-day strike by delivery drivers at Booker’s Thamesmead site, which would have included Christmas Eve, was suspended after the company agreed that a pay review can go ahead in the New Year.

The drivers have already received a pay rise, but their union said that part of that deal was an agreement for further long term pay talks, which it believed the company had cancelled.

Unite regional officer Paul Travers said: “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.”

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham added: “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.

“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.”

The Booker drivers strike is the third threatened dispute to be suspended in the last week.

The other two were for workers at Tesco distribution centres.

They involved members of both Unite and shopworkers union Usdaw and were called off after Tesco improved its pay offer. Tesco also owns Booker.