Eddie Stobart drivers suspend strike action but pay dispute continues

Strike action among Eddie Stobart drivers on the Walkers crisps contract in Warrington has been suspended after both sides got round the table for “constructive talks”.

The Unite union had threatened to start three days of strike action from yesterday (17 February) in an ongoing row over pay for drivers at the Birchwood site on the Walkers Pepsico contract.

These have now been canned, although the union added that depending on how negotiations progress, strike action scheduled for between 28 February to 2 March remained in place.

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Steve Gerrard, Unite regional officer, said: “Following constructive talks yesterday with the Stobart management, we have suspended the three days of strike action due to have started today to allow negotiations to take place next week.

“Unite will be entering the next round of talks on our members’ long-standing dispute over pay in a positive frame of mind.”

An Eddie Stobart spokeswoman said: “We can confirm that a meeting has taken place this week.

“We won’t be making any further comments on this matter until dialogue has been concluded and a full resolution has been agreed.”