Carlsberg UK lorry drivers reject offered pay rise

Carlsberg UK lorry drivers and warehousing staff have rejected a 2.75% salary rise.

Between 600-700 logistics employees of the brewery giant were balloted by trade union Unite over a proposed 2.75% pay award, and 72%  refused the offer, Motor Transport understands.

A Carlsberg UK trucker tells MT: "We think that we have been working extremely hard and coped with changes to operations well. The company seems to be doing well, so most of us feel we deserve a better offer."

His assertion came shortly after Carlsberg Group reported a 38% jump in operating profit in the three months to 31 March, compared to Q1 2010.

A spokesman for Carlsberg UK says: "We are still in negotiations and as long as that is still the case it is not something we are willing to make any comment on."

Warehousing and distribution accounts for around 70% of the brewer's UK operations, and estimates suggest the firm employs some 700 logistics employees. The firm's distribution sites, include Croydon, Tingley in West Yorkshire, and Ipswich.

For more details see Motor Transport on 23 May.