Union Unite has confirmed a 24-hour strike by drivers, draymen and warehouse workers at Kuehne + Nagel Drinks Logistics (KNDL) will take place on 11 September.
The strike, which will start at 10am, is expected to affect deliveries of brands including Fosters, Heineken, Kronenbourg, John Smith’s, Strongbow and Britvic soft drinks to almost 30,000 drinking establishments across the UK.
There will also be a continuous ban on overtime and a work-to-rule, said Unite.
Unite’s dispute with KNDL revolves around plans to introduce three ‘superhubs’ in Livingstone, Wakefield and Thatcham which the union fears will lead to job losses and delivery problems.
Depots affected by the strike action include: Aberdeen; Bathgate (West Lothian); Birmingham; Bristol; Chandlers Ford (Hampshire); Carlisle; Croydon; Dagenham; Devizes (Wiltshire); Dundee; Faversham (Kent); Greenford (Middlesex); Inverness; Liverpool; Manchester; Newark (Nottinghamshire); Northampton; Norwich; Plymouth; Preston; Reading; Stockton-on-Tees (Cleveland); Swansea; Wakefield; Warrington; Washington (Tyne and Wear); and Welwyn Garden City.
Unite national officer, Rhys McCarthy said: "KNDL's refusal to take our concerns seriously mean there will be significant disruption to the supply of beer right across the country.
"We have tried to negotiate with the company but it has stubbornly refused to solve this dispute,” he added.
The move follows a recent ballot in which 85% voted to strike on a turnout of 64%.
Unite has warned it may step up its industrial action further, if its dispute with the firm is not resolved.
KNDL response
In a statement the operator responded: "In our meeting with Unite on the 29th August and in subsequent discussions with the union, the company reiterated its desire to engage in meaningful dialogue including suggesting the involvement of ACAS in an effort to resolve this dispute.
"We are therefore extremely disappointed that the notice of industrial action has been issued prior to further discussions taking place.
"We are currently working closely with our customers and, in the event of strike action, we have contingency plans in place and will seek to minimise disruption to our nationwide deliveries."
KNDL added that it remained committed to resolving the dispute before any action is taken and will be seeking a meeting with Unite to achieve this.
