Tesco agrees pay rise to avert pre-Christmas strike action

By

Nigel TAYLOR

Published
Dec 10, 2021

Tesco has averted pre-Christmas strike action that could have severely damaged its festive season trading.

The UK’s biggest supermarket chain and owner of the F+F fashion line has secured an above-inflation pay rise for 1,200 warehouse staff and HGV drivers at four of the retailer’s distribution centres.

Walkouts at distribution centres in Antrim, Belfast, Didcot and Doncaster will no longer go ahead.

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Tesco has agreed to a 5.5% pay increase with Unite, backdated to July, plus an additional 0.5% from February, after a previous 4% offer was rejected. 

A Tesco spokesman told The Telegraph: “We’re pleased to have agreed a pay deal with Unite that it recommends to its members. Colleagues at these centres will no longer be taking industrial action. We look forward to delivering a fantastic Christmas for customers.”

Adrian Jones of Unite added: “Right from the beginning of this dispute, Unite has been clear that Tesco could afford to make a more generous offer and that has proved to be the case.”

However, the retailer is still facing possible strike action from Usdaw union employees. The rival union is said to holding out for a better deal after a meeting on Wednesday. Talks will resume next week. 

Action by Usdaw members would affect nine Tesco distribution sites and about 5,000 staff during the crucial festive season.

Tesco rival Morrisons averted a warehouse strike earlier this month after workers accepted a 5% pay rise.