Strike suspended but bullying case not closed, Unite warns UPS

Strike action at UPS’ Gloucester depot has been suspended after progress was made in talks between the parcel company and the Unite union.

Workers were due to down tools on Friday 30 July, Monday 2 August and Tuesday 3 August, but the union said that “as a gesture of goodwill” these will now not take place.

However, it added that if the row over alleged bullying and safety breaches at the UPS depot is not resolved then strikes will begin on 4 August, with further disruption scheduled throughout August and September.

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• Gloucester UPS workers to strike over bullying claims and alleged safety breaches

Matt Draper, Unite national officer for parcels and logistics, said: “Initial progress in the dispute has been made in negotiations brokered by the conciliation service Acas and therefore as a gesture of goodwill the first three days of strike action have been suspended.

“This will allow for further talks to take place later this week and hopefully an agreement can be reached which will resolve the problems of bullying and safety breaches which have afflicted the Gloucester depot for far too long.”

UPS declined to comment on the development, but a spokesman reiterated that the company was committed to working closely with unions and it had taken “concrete actions” to address concerns.