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Union Unite claimed Tesco-owned Booker Retail Partners had reneged on an agreement struck less than two months ago relating to delivery drivers’ pay and that pre-Christmas strikes are now back on the agenda.

After the long-running dispute was thought to have been put to bed when drivers at the Thamesmead depot accepted a pay deal in October, Unite accused Booker bosses of “bad faith” for going back on a promise to review pay in February 2022.

It said the 45-strong workforce would strike on Thursday 23 December and all through Christmas Eve, which could affect deliveries to stores including Budgens, Londis, Premier, One Stop and petrol stations.

In response, Booker said it was continuing to discuss the situation with Unite and that any disruption would be minimised.

The union said drivers had accepted a 3.3% pay increase, which was now in pay packets.

Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary, said: “They promised a further review of pay rates to take place in February. They have now broken that agreement and thus have provoked the Christmas strike action.

“Unite is dedicated to advancing the jobs, pay and conditions of all its HGV driver members across the UK. That now includes holding the Booker bosses in Thamesmead to account for breaking a union agreement on pay.”

Unite regional officer Paul Travers said: “When we agreed to suspend strike action in October, it was on the understanding that a review of drivers’ pay and employment conditions would take place in February and that Unite would be fully involved.

However, the company has now scrapped the review and will uplift the drivers’ money by £2 per hour which is completely unacceptable.”

A Booker spokeswoman said: “We continue to engage with Unite in relation to our Thamesmead site and remain happy to meet with them in February.

“We have contingency plans in place to ensure customers can get the products they need, while minimising any disruption for them.”

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