Stobart Doncaster DC dispute steps up a gear
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By Derren Hayes
THE DISPUTE between Eddie Stobart and the union representing drivers facing redundancy from its Doncaster DC escalated further this week with the group’s management warning that planned industrial action could jeopardise a resolution deal.
With the former Tesco drivers due to start a second 48-hour stoppage today (Thursday 18 October), following a widely-supported twoday walkout last week, Stobart management insisted it was being “held to ransom” by Unite. It said no new offers would be made until the threat of action was lifted.
Last week, CM reported that 120 alternative driving roles in the Stobart Group and a further 90 Tesco warehousing jobs in the Yorkshire region had been offered to affected drivers.
Eddie Stobart MD David Pickering said these opportunities were being put at risk by the union’s stance. “Eddie Stobart has always tried to engage in meaningful discussions with Unite. At collective consultation meetings we made it clear that industrial action would put alternative jobs and financial support in jeopardy.” Following Stobart’s decision last month to make the 183 drivers’ roles at Doncaster redundant and remove transport operations at the site, the DC’s Unite driver members decided to strike. The drivers had been transferred to Stobart under Tupe regulations from former employer Tesco.
Pickering added that the first strike achieved nothing apart from ensuring the drivers lost income, with anticipated disruption to Tesco stores across Yorkshire failing to materialise. Despite this, the drivers’ cause has received public support, with the mayor of Doncaster joining the protests and unconfirmed reports of Tesco stores in the town experiencing a drop in takings. Tesco would not comment on this.
Unite regional officer Harriet Eisner accused Stobart of treating the drivers callously. “Tesco is equally to blame and the people of Doncaster can see that,” she said.
Unite said the alternative driver jobs being offered were either on different terms and conditions or at depots at least 30 miles away.
A Tesco spokeswoman said: “We will try to provide alternative roles for the drivers.”