The GMB union has started negotiations with agency Tempay about the rates of pay awarded to agency warehouse staff it supplies to DHL’s DC in Swindon run for Marks & Spencer.

The move follows the legal claim launched in May by the union against Tempay, fellow agency Twenty Four Seven Recruitment Services, DHL and former site operator Wincanton about the rates paid to 240 agency staff at the warehouse in recent years.

The union said the pay to agency staff at the site breaches the requirements of the Agency Worker Regulations, which call for equal pay for agency staff after a qualifying period of 12 weeks.

A date for an initial hearing on the claim is still awaited.

GMB regional organiser Carole Vallelly said negotiations with managers at Twenty Four Seven Recruitment Services on behalf of Tempay were at an early stage.