More than 700 Co-operative Food drivers are preparing to take strike action against the retailer’s proposal to transfer 87 Coventry-based drivers to Eddie Stobart.

A ballot today of 700-plus drivers at the Co-operative saw support for industrial action with 77% voting in favour of strike action and 84% voting for industrial action short of a strike.

Unite, which organised the ballot said the vote gave the union a “strong mandate” from members to fight the transfer.

National officer for retail distribution Adrian Jones added: “We will now be consulting with our members as to the next steps regarding industrial action. In the meantime, we call on the management to sit down and discuss the situation constructively under the auspices of the conciliation service, Acas.”

Jones added: “All Unite is asking is that we have more time to investigate the viability of the comprehensive list of suggestions put forward by our shop stewards at Coventry to increase efficiency and reduce costs.”

The Co-op driver members balloted are based at Birtley, Newcastle; Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland; Castlewood, north Derbyshire; Coventry; Inverness; Newhouse, Lanarkshire; Plymouth and Thurrock in Essex.

The Co-operative Food has repeatedly reassured its workforce that the decision to outsource the drivers at Coventry by April is not, as the union has claimed 'the thin edge of the wedge'.

A Co-op spokesman said: “We are disappointed by the ballot outcome. We have agreed that all colleagues will see their terms and conditions protected when they transfer to Eddie Stobart and that Unite will be the recognised union for driver colleagues post-transfer.

"We are working hard to resolve the matter and have already offered to meet ACAS with Unite. We are supporting our colleagues in Coventry and have worked with Eddie Stobart to ensure that they are fully informed of their individual choices.”

Topics