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Union anger erupts into strikes

28th July 2005, Page 6
28th July 2005
Page 6
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Page 6, 28th July 2005 — Union anger erupts into strikes
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

Following the Working Time Directive, are we facing a summer of discontent? Guy Sheppard reports.

MORE THAN 250 Asda supermarket drivers were due to stage a series of one-day strikes on 27.28, and 29 July in a row over pay.

The action at the company's Washington, Tyne 8z Wear ambient food distribution centre follows rejection of a two-year offer by members of the GMB union.

GMB organiser Mark Wilson says the offer involved two separate increases worth a total of 5% this year, followed by an increase of either 2.75% or one based on the retail price index next year.

"It is the first year that's the problem,he explains."They want 5% throughout the first year.

But an Asda spokesman says employees backing strike action only account for a third of the workforce of more than 700 people at Washington.

It only handles 6% of ambient distribution in the UK," he adds. "We have already put contingency plans in place."

Meanwhile a dispute overworking rosters at Asda's Skelmersdale, Lanes frozen and chilled food distribution centre has been defused.

The GMB claims the company tried to bully 150 drivers into accepting new rosters during the school holidays and was preparing a ballot on industrial action.

Regional GMB officer Duncan Edwards says: "With industrial action occurring in the North-East, clearly the company did not want to be fighting on two fronts."

Tesco is also under fire for heavy-handed treatment of its drivers. The Transport & General Workers Union says about half of its 400 members at the supermarket's Strood, Kent, distribution centre face redundancy when work is transferred to the company's Thurrock, Essex centre in September.

T&G regional industrial organiser Billy Lamb says: "There was no consultation or proper discussion prior to the announcement. They [Tesco] are very arrogant."

But a Tesco spokesperson says: "We made every effort to speak to staff face to face in a timely way to let them know what was happening." STRIKE ACTION is looming among tanker drivers after BP refused to honour lixel drivers' final pension salary schemes when it brings its fuel distribution back in-house.

TheTransport & GeneralWorkers' Union says 350 drivers affected by the oil giant's decision will be balloted on strike action "as soon as possible".

Exel's five-year distribution contract ends in October, according to BP, and a consultation process under '11.!PE rules is currently taking place, with pensions one of the subjects under discussion.

Ron Webb,T&G national secretary for transport, says BPwhich is expected to make more than 1 bn profit this year left the union's members with no alternative to industrial action: -The global giant which is making billions in profits is telling us they cannot afford a decent pension for the people who put their lives at risk every time they take a tanker out on the road. What nonsense!

"We have made it clear that part of a new settlement for oil tanker drivers must include decent pensions."

BP closed its final-pension scheme to new drivers 18 months ago in favour of a money-purchase scheme. It currently shares its fuel distribution but the new contract will affect the pensions of about 40 Exel drivers.

A BP spokeswoman will only say:"We are unable to discuss any issues tin hi the consultation period has ended."

christophentindall@rbi.co.uk


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