Tesco distribution drivers running out of Livingston, near Edinburgh, have voted to strike from 24 to 26 May. They are fighting contract changes and plans to derecognise the Transport & General Workers Union section of the new 'super union' Unite that represents them. The strike was initially threatened over Tesco's plans to change the drivers' working terms and conditions when it moved from the current site to a depot only 500 yards down the road.
The supermarket giant derecognised the union and warned the drivers to sign a new deal by Friday 18 May or lose their jobs. As a result nearly 150 drivers voted for a three-day strike. A spokesman for the union says: "Tesco's derecognition of the union is more than an insult. With the date set for 24 May there is still time for Tesco to resolve this."
A Tesco spokesman comments: "We are disappointed by this decision. All we are doing is changing the way we pay our existing staff - not what we pay them." Union leaders disagree. They say the new terms and conditions could cost the drivers more than £3,000 per year. T&G regional industrial organiser Tony Trench also condemns the way Tesco has attempted to deal with the situation: "What makes this situation worse is that before Tesco had started a meeting with us and national officials in London, they told the Livingston drivers what the final outcome would be."
The strike will affect about 100 Tesco stores across Scotland over the bank holiday weekend. The Tesco spokesman adds: "We will do everything in our power to ensure that the actions of a minority of staff will not disrupt the service we provide."
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