Strike action could lead to empty shelves at Tesco PLC (LSE:TSCO) in the run-up to Christmas, according to the Unite union.
Unite said workers, including warehouse staff and HGV drivers, at Tesco’s depots in Antrim, Belfast, Didcot and Doncaster are planning industrial action over pay and will start a series of rolling strikes from 16 December until after the New Year unless the supermarket giant comes back with an improved pay offer.
The union is also balloting its members for strike action at Tesco’s distribution centre in Livingston.
Tesco is offering the workers a 4% pay increase, below the current retail price index (RPI) inflation rate of 6%.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Our members have gone above and beyond the call of duty to keep Tesco’s shelves filled throughout the pandemic. At the very least the UK’s largest and wealthiest retailer should be making our members a decent pay offer.
The union noted that Tesco is forecasting operating profits of £2.6bn for the current financial year.
“The workforce are particularly angry that Tesco is trying to force them into a real terms pay cut, due to the company’s incredible profitability,” it said.
Unite national officer Adrian Jones said: “Unite is taking strike action as a last resort having exhausted all other options.
“Even at this late stage Tesco could still avoid severe disruption in its stores by returning to the negotiating table and making a greatly improved offer.”
Tesco said its pay offer was a fair reflection of the tireless work done by staff during the pandemic and one of the highest awards made within its distribution business in 25 years, the Guardian reported.
The company said it had contingency plans to mitigate any impact.
“We have worked hard to deliver Christmas for our customers and are confident we will be able to fulfil our plans,” it said.