Unite members at Eddie Stobart Logistics’ (ESL) Walkers Snacks Food contract are to strike over the operator’s failure to honour an existing industrial agreement.

Staff at Walkers Snacks Food joined ESL via TUPE last year after the snack manufacturer outsourced its transport.

The union has claimed that ESL has ignored the 50 HGV drivers’ negotiated terms since, and opted to enforce their own. It balloted staff in March over the issue, and has now revealed that on a turnout of 95.2% the vote for strike action was unanimous.

The union has announced two periods of strikes: the first will begin on Friday 31 May until Tuesday 4 June, and the second is from Friday 7 June until Tuesday 11 June.

There will also be an overtime ban in place on Thursday 30 May, Wednesday 5 June, Thursday 6 June and Wednesday 12 June.

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Unite regional officer Steve Gerrard, said: “The North West of England is facing a crisp famine directly as a result of the high handed actions of Eddie Stobart’s management.

“Eddie Stobart is refusing to honour the long standing legal industrial agreements that protect our members pay and conditions.

“Workers aren’t going to stand idly by and allow their hard won rights to be demolished.

“Unite has made numerous attempts to engage with Eddie Stobart to resolve this dispute and has been continually rebuffed.

“This strike is entirely of Stobart’s own making and they can resolve the dispute by agreeing to meaningful negotiations with Unite.”

Eddie Stobart Logistics was approached for comment.

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