Christmas without a turkey roast seems almost unthinkable, but the Unite union said households could see empty tables this year as a result of a growing pay row among Culina drivers.
The union claimed the distribution company was playing Scrooge to its staff – who deliver chickens and turkeys to supermarkets – after failing to offer them any pay rise this year.
Culina’s contract is with Avara Foods Hereford, which supplies Tesco and Marks & Spencer to deliver poultry from abattoirs to supermarket warehouses.
Unite said that despite being in pay negotiations since April, no offer had been made to drivers who have been left with little choice but to down tools.
Around 40 HGV drivers are now taking industrial action and intend to go out on strike in the run-up the Christmas.
They will stop work on 19 and 20 December, which the union said would cause “serious disruption”.
It added that more dates could be announced if the company refused to come back to the negotiating table with an improved offer.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Culina should be ashamed it is acting as a Scrooge employer.
“Our members deserve a pay rise this year and Culina need to realise that this isn’t just any strike - this is a Unite strike. And our members will have the full backing of their union in this dispute.”
Unite regional officer Jason Richards added: “Our members do a skilled and vital job ensuring food gets from A to B on time. But they are not being valued by their employer who has refused to offer any pay increase whatsoever.
“This Scrooge-like behaviour is unacceptable and will see our members head to the picket line later this month.”
The dispute between the union and Culina, as well as the current pay complaint among tanker drivers at North Air, came as research found 72% of professional drivers may consider strike action before 2025 arrives.
This is an increase of over 10% from 2023, when 61% reported similar sentiments.
IoT tech specialist Samsara said frustration within workforces centred on pay not keeping up with the rise in the cost of living, long hours and poor working conditions.
Philip van der Wilt, SVP of Samsara, said: “With this apparent growing discontent among drivers, the logistics and transport sector stands at a critical crossroads and without meaningful change, the industry risks losing a significant portion of its essential staff.”
Culina did not respond.
