URTU fights for Cranswick Country Foods recognition

URTU has balloted for industrial action by LGV drivers at Hull-based Cranswick Country Foods after the firm refused to recognise it as a union to represent its drivers.

The food supplier claimed that employees are covered by the GMB Union, which has negotiated terms for its on-site workers. However, URTU said drivers were not approached by GMB.

URTU added that drivers at the firm require a union with hands-on expertise in drivers’ hours law and working time regulations.

URTU regional officer Graham Bird said: “This isn’t a dispute about forcing the employer to make improvements to terms and conditions of employment, it is a dispute about the basic right to be represented.

"My members tell me that, in the main, Cranswick is a good employer, which makes it all the more disappointing that they have been forced to resort to the threat of industrial action in order to gain something to which every employee is morally and legally entitled.”

Voting in the ballot ended last week (31 May), with the result expected shortly. Cranswick Country Foods was unavailable to comment.

See Commercialmotor.com later for the outcome.