Tesco faces ‘stock shortage’ as strike threat widens | Tesco

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The risk of Tesco being hit hard by the strike in the crucial pre-Christmas period has risen dramatically, after the number of distribution centers facing employee strikes more than tripled to 13 — more than half of the total.

Britain’s largest supermarket chain was facing the prospect of a strike in four warehouses after members of the united trade union voted for an industrial strike to protest an offer to pay an “attack” without inflation.

Members of the retail trade union Usdaw followed suit on Monday, adding nine more sites to the list of sites that could be affected unless an agreement is reached. The union warned that Tesco could face a “shortfall of inventory” as a result.

In total, 13 of Tesco’s 22 distribution centers are now at risk of disruption due to the industrial strike in the busy weeks on both sides of Christmas.

Usdaw said it gave notice of a shutdown beginning Dec. 20 and ending on Christmas Eve, after two separate papers supported the measure with 73% and 84% support.

“Our members have sent a clear message, with such a high turnout and strong support for the industrial procedure,” said National Officer, Joanne McGuinness.

We hope the company will listen and they will come back to the negotiating table with a better deal that is acceptable to our members.

“Retail distribution workers are the key workers providing essential services throughout the pandemic, which in turn delivered a 16.5% increase in profits for Tesco for the first half of the year.

“These workers deserve a decent salary increase as a reward for what they have done and continue to do day in and day out; besides, with the high cost of living and inflation currently at 6%, the company has to do better.”

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The Usdaw vote affects sites in Daventry, Goole, Hinckley, Litchfield, Livingston, two in Major, Peterborough and Southampton.

On Sunday, Unite said warehouse workers and HGV drivers in warehouses in Antrim, Belfast, Didcot and Doncaster would begin a series of rolling strikes from December 16.

The unions said members rejected a 4% annual wage increase, citing the retail price index’s measure of inflation at 6%.

In response to Usdaw’s vote, Tesco reiterated its comment on the Unite strike, saying its payment offer was “fair.” The company is understood to be in ongoing talks with unions.

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