Wholesale food distributor Brakes said it was disappointed hundreds of its workers in Motherwell were being balloted for strike action while it was in the middle of negotiating a pay deal.
Unite said 350 drivers and warehouse workers employed by the company at the Newhouse depot were being balloted from today (23 June) after they rejected what it said was an “unacceptable” pay offer.
The union claimed it amounted to a pay increase of just 53p an hour and that the members were being paid thousands less than counterparts in England for doing the same jobs.
Unite estimated that the pay differential was around 13.5%.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham, said: “Brake Brothers has served up a pitiful hourly increase which our members have unanimously rejected. It is a very wealthy company and it needs to put a far better offer on the table.”
In a statement, Brakes, a Sysco company, said: “We are disappointed that Unite has decided to ballot its members at our Newhouse depot for potential industrial action while discussions remain ongoing and ahead of any engagement with the arbitration service, ACAS.
“Our priority continues to be reaching a resolution that supports our colleagues and provides stability for the depot.
“We believe the above-inflation offer we have proposed is fair and reasonable, and we remain committed to open and constructive dialogue.
We hope Unite will engage with us in the same spirit, so that together we can achieve a positive and timely outcome for everyone involved,” the company added.
Unite industrial officer Andy Brown said Brakes could “easily afford” to increase its pay offer: “If they do not then our membership will take strike action to get what they deserve,” he said.
“This will put at risk food and grocery deliveries throughout Scotland including to schools, prisons and restaurants.”
The ballot closes on 14 July.
