A continuous strike at West Yorkshire-based Lockwood Haulage has been called off after the company upped its “paltry” 1% pay offer to 2.5%, Unite the union has announced.
The strike by 40 Unite members based at Lockwood Haulage’s Knottingley and South Kirby depots has been called off after 10 days, following the improved pay offer.
The Unite members, who work as forklift truck drivers and machine operators in Lockwood’s glass division, began their strike action on 2 September.
The 40 workers walked out after rejecting a 1% increase, applied across all grades and allowances, backdated to 1 March 2025.
At the time Unite regional officer Jessica Sangha said its members were “insulted - with this paltry pay offer.”
As the strike continued into its tenth day the company offered an improved pay deal of 2.5%, backdated to 1 March 2025, which the workforce has now accepted.
A previous plan to replace annual pay increases with an attendance-linked bonus has also been scrapped.
When the strike began Unite warned that it could hit deliveries of Coca-Cola and other brands in the region, as Lockwood Haulage is a delivery partner for Ardagh Glass, which supplies bottles to Coca-Cola, Budweiser, Stella Artois and Heineken.
The sites also produce bottles for brands including Jameson, J&B and Johnnie Walker, as well as wine bottles.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Well done to Unite members at Lockwood, who stood together on the picket line in their fight for a better deal and won. It shows the power of a union.”
Unite regional officer Jessica Sangha said: “We are pleased that the dispute has ended with a better pay rise for our hardworking members at Lockwood.
“The result proves unionising works. Any worker who wants improved pay and conditions should join Unite and encourage their colleagues to do the same.”
Lockwood Haulage also saw industrial unrest in July last year when has clashed with workers over union recognition.
The workers had been transferred from GXO where they had been covered by union recognition.
Lockwood initially refused to recognise the union following the transfer.
However, following industrial action the union was formally recognised for collective bargaining at Lockwood.
