GXO Logistics drivers and drayman have voted in favour of taking strike action over job cuts.
The strikes, which are yet to be scheduled, are over plans to close the company’s Thames Gateway site at Dagenham.
Unite is warning that the closure of the Dagenham depot would result in major job losses while also "dramatically" increasing the workload of the remaining drivers at the company’s Croydon, Faversham and Greenford depots.
It added that GXO Logistics had rejected proposals by Unite that would have kept the depot open.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite’s members are not going to stand by and allow GXO Logistics to make needless job cuts, while forcing the remaining workers to increase already unmanageable workloads.
“Unite is entirely dedicated to defending its members jobs, pay and conditions. The workers at GXO Logistics will receive Unite’s complete support.”
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GXO Logistics delivers to around 4,500 pubs, clubs and bars in London and the South East. Its main customers include Heineken, Shepherd Neame, Whitbread, Admiral Taverns and the EL Group.
Unite is warning that, if the dispute is not resolved, it could result in beer shortages during the World Cup and in the run up to Christmas.
Unite regional officer Paul Travers said: “Strike action will inevitably cause severe disruption to the pubs and bars who rely on GXO Logistics for their beer supplies, but this dispute is entirely of the company’s own making.”
A GXO spokesperson said: "Due to a decrease in a customer’s volume requirements, we are proposing not to renew the lease at our Thames Gateway site when it expires in November to better align our operations with our customer’s current needs.
“Every effort is being made to support impacted colleagues, including offering redeployment to all operational employees. We are grateful for the great work of our employees and are proud of the service they deliver.”
GXO is planning to reallocate volumes handled at the Thames Gateway across its Croydon, Greenford and Thatcham depots in October 2022 and has told employees that those workers who agree to be deployed will retain their existing pay and conditions.