Tesco staff prepared to strike (From Free Press Series)

Tesco staff prepared to strike

12:56pm Wednesday 8th July 2009

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WORKERS at Tesco’s Distribution Centre in Chepstow voted to ballot on industrial action.

Unite members will decide whether or not to take industrial action against the supermarket giant, following the company’s decision to relocate staff across the Severn Bridge and switch them to lesser contracts.

The decision was taken at a meeting on Sunday where, according to one union member, “the vast majority” voted for the ballot. Papers are expected to be sent out in the next week.

Months of negotiations between Unite and Tesco followed Tesco’s announcement that it will be moving the distribution centre from Newhouse Farm Industrial Estate to Avonmouth, eight miles away.

The company also wants its 750 workers to move to a contract with less pay and fewer benefits, or face redundancy. Staff can remain members of Unite, but Usdaw will be the union recognised by Tesco for site negotiations.

Unite national secretary Ron Webb said: “Tesco wants to keep the workers, but only if they agree to vastly inferior contracts. At a time when workers are frightened for their jobs, this is an underhand way to get them to agree to pay cuts.

“We will do everything in our power to resist attacks on our members’ pay and conditions and defend their rights.”

One union member worker, who did not want to be named, said: “If Tesco don’t bring anything more to the table the ballot is the right thing to do.

“With the current offer from Tesco we would lose a substantial amount of money, that’s what we’re fighting for.”

A spokesman for Tesco said: “All existing staff at Chepstow are being offered the opportunity to work at our new site.

“We have fully consulted staff and the trade unions to draw up a compensation package that was unanimously recommended by Unite. Despite this, staff voted to reject the package and consequently talks are ongoing.”

Cllr Armand Watts, for Thornwell, said he would support the workers whatever they decide to do.

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