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• Union unrest is looming among Exel drivers working on
Page 7
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the Tesco contract out of its Chepstow regional distribution centre in support of an improved pay offer.
Pay negotiations have been taking place since August but the drivers say little appears to be happening and they are starting to get frustrated.
The drivers claim that Exel opened with a "derisory" pay offer of 1.7% which has subsequently been increased to 2.5%—if they accept a 0,3% pay rise next year.
The temperature-controlled ADO in question is situated under the Severn Bridge on the Welsh side of the estuary. From it drivers take chilled, frozen and fresh food to 300 Tesco stores all over the West and South Wales. CM understands that Exel manages the plant on Tesco's behalf and pays the drivers' wages.
A driver based at the ADC says: "Morale appears to be very low in the plant—several drivers have decided that they have had enough and have already left and i can see more following in the future. There is also a lot of disquiet about changes to rosters. Managers imposed a new system *tout consulting the work force and it went down like a lead balloon."
Most the drivers are represented by the Transport & General Workers Union. A spokesman for the T&G says they are still hoping to agree a negotiated settlement and adds that industrial action is not being considered at this stage. Exel failed to comment.