A trade union said Wincanton drivers working for Marshalls building supplies were furious at a “pathetic” pay offer put to them by the logistics giant and had opted to take strike action.
Unite said the offer for 2024 was a one-off payment of £700, which was worth only 1.6% and it had put forward a 4% pay offer for 2025.
As a result, nearly 200 HGV drivers across the country will take industrial action resulting in them no longer doing overtime work or working overnight away from home from 30 June.
Marshalls’ customers include Travis Perkins, Jewsons, Wickes, Taylor Wimpy and Barrett Homes.
However, Wincanton said it was committed to finding a resolution.
The union said the drivers were responsible for delivering approximately 3,000 products including patio flagstones, bricks, roof tiles and drainage and it claimed that the industrial action would see deliveries grind to a halt with a major impact on private and public building projects and fewer supplies available to the general public.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Wincanton’s pay offer is pathetic.
“This is a company that makes millions. Our members have been waiting for ages for a new pay offer and this is just a slap in the face.
“The workers will have the full support of Unite in their dispute.”
Unite added that the drivers had recently been transferred over from one employer and had agreed to postpone pay talks as a goodwill measure while employment issues were resolved. It said they now felt betrayed by the latest pay offer from Wincanton and that it was a company with billions in revenue.
Unite national officer Adrian Jones added: “This is just not good enough from Wincanton.
“Our members do a physically demanding and skilled job and are expected to work all hours.
“Strike action will inevitably cause huge disruption, delays and increased costs throughout the construction sector but Wincanton has brought this on itself through a failure to make a fair deal.
“The company needs to come back to the negotiating table with an improved offer otherwise overtime and night work will cease at the end of this month,” he added.
A Wincanton spokesperson said: “We value the vital work our colleagues carry out every day and remain committed to ongoing talks to find a resolution that satisfies all parties.”
