One Tesco distribution strike called off, another poised to be settled

Tesco raised its offer to Unite workers from 4% to 5.5% backdated to July, with an additional 0.5% from February 2022.

The union accepted the offer pending a ballot of its members.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Tesco’s improved offer shows what can be achieved by our members standing together.

“Given that the company has forecast profits for 2021 topping £2.5 billion an improved offer is the least Tesco workers could expect”.

“Unite is the union which always puts the jobs, pay and conditions of its members first and in doing so it is consistently securing improved pay deals for its members.”

Unite has secured an agreement with Tesco for a formal dialogue on revising the current system of legacy and new generation contracts.

If agreed this would create a single pay scale for all the work being undertaken in the distribution centres.

The cancelled strike had been voted for by union members at distribution centres in Antrim, Belfast, Didcot and Doncaster.

A similar dispute with another trade union, Usdaw, Tesco is still in talks.

“In this dispute, a strike is due to start on 20 December at nine Tesco distribution centres in Daventry, Goole, Hinckley, Lichfield, Livingston, Magor (both trunk and main sites), Peterborough and Southampton.

Joanne McGuinness, Usdaw national officer, said: “Industrial action is always a last resort for our members.

“We sincerely hope that fresh negotiations can result in an acceptable offer from the business to avoid possible stock shortages in stores in the week before Christmas.”