Eddie Stobart Doncaster drivers to strike next week

More than 180 drivers at Eddie Stobart’s Tesco DC in Doncaster are set to strike for 48 hours next week following last month's vote in favour of industrial action.

The strike will run from early Tuesday morning (9 October) and will disrupt supplies to Tesco stores in the Yorkshire and Humber region, said Unite.

The action, which more than 90% of staff voted for, follows a move by Stobart to issue termination notices to 183 drivers on 5 September after taking control of the operation from Tesco in August.

Unite regional officer Harriet Eisner said: “The drivers were furious at the way they have been treated

“The management seems hell-bent on throwing them on to the dole queue by Christmas. More strikes are on the cards until this dispute is resolved,” she said.

In mid-September, 40 Eddie Stobart drivers took part in a protest at Doncaster Racecourse over the planned redundancies.

The drivers were subsequently turned away from work when arriving for their shifts on the basis that they were not fit for work, according to Unite.

David Pickering, Eddie Stobart MD, said:  "It's very disappointing that Unite have forced the Doncaster drivers into proposed strike action. Since the original ballot was held, we have committed over 120 alternative driving roles within Stobart Group just one month into meaningful consultation and dialogue.

"If the strike does go ahead, we will ensure any disruption is kept to a minimum."