A nationwide strike ballot is to be held at UPS depots nationwide according to union Unite,  after talks to resolve workers’ claims of unreasonable workloads proved unsuccessful.

Plans for a nationwide ballot follow a ballot of members at five London depots; Camden, Feltham, Dartford, Croydon and Barking, earlier this month. The dispute began in Camden in November when members staged a one-day strike.

Unite members at some of UPS's London depots plan to hold demonstrations at their sites, the first of which took place in Camden today (31 July). Further demonstrations are expected to be held at Feltham on 4 August and Croydon on 11 August.

Unite national officer for road transport and logistics, Matt Draper, said members at other UPS depots across the country had highlighted similar concerns about their workloads, with claims made that drivers are being made to work past their usual finish times.

“The management has not moved an inch since our members went on strike on 22 November 2013 over excessive workloads,” Draper claimed. “We have also seen the management disregard the agreements on sick pay, and an even more sinister change by refusing to pay workers injured at work.”

A UPS spokeswoman said: "Discussions with Unite are ongoing, and we remain hopeful that a mutually satisfactory agreement can be reached.

"It is UPS’s policy to comply with all laws governing employment and labour practices worldwide, and UPS is careful to take into account the point-of-view of unions along with the interests of our customers, our employees, our shareholders and our company as a whole.”

Topics