Transport and distribution specialist Eddie Stobart is putting two Iveco ECOSTRALIS tractor units to the ultimate test within its extensive transport operation.

Former Tesco drivers at Eddie Stobart’s Doncaster DC have suspended further strike action so that union officials and the logistics firm’s management can resume talks this Friday (19 October).

More strike action was set to start tomorrow (Thursday, 18 October) but Unite officials representing  the 183 drivers at threat of redundancy have postponed this in lieu of renewed talks.

Harriet Eisner, Unite regional officer, said: “Stobart has confirmed it intends to put an offer on the table, so we are suspending Thursday and Friday’s action pending talks.

“We are not ruling out further action, but Unite is keen to explore what Eddie Stobart is offering, and that talks are conducted in a constructive and positive manner.”

The industrial dispute appeared to be turning increasingly fractious in recent weeks, with Stobart set on removing the transport operation from its Doncaster DC and accusing the union of “holding it to ransom”.

Unite, which organised a strike last week and took its protest to the streets of Doncaster attracting support from the town’s mayor,  has argued that the alternative jobs its members have been offered by Eddie Stobart and Tesco are not equivalent or appropriate for its members.

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