Yodel faces "complete delivery shutdown" after 98% of drivers vote to strike

Yodel has not given up hope on striking a deal with the GMB union after more than 250 of its drivers voted to walk out over a pay and conditions dispute.

The union said 98% of the drivers, who deliver to Marks & Spencer, Aldi, Very and others, voted to go out on strike and the company faced a “complete delivery shutdown”.

It claimed that the dispute is over apparent “unworkable driver schedules”, offering agency workers more money than directly employed drivers, outstanding annual leave payments and a failure to honour contractual agreements relating to holiday and sick leave.

The GMB said it would now meet with the drivers and agree dates for the first round of industrial action.

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Nadine Houghton, GMB national officer, said: “With acute labour shortages across a range of sectors the time for working people to organise and take action to improve their lot is right now.

“GMB members working for Yodel will immediately be agreeing dates for their first round of strikes and with the majority of Yodel’s drivers voting to walk out, parcel deliveries will be significantly hit.”

However, Yodel said “meaningful” talks with union officials were ongoing, with another scheduled for next week.

A spokeswoman added: “We will continue to work in good faith and remain committed to finding a resolution for our valued transport colleagues on any outstanding matters.”