The union Unite has warned that Sainsbury’s customers across the south west could face pre-Christmas shortages, if DHL drivers take strike action in a dispute over pay.
Unite said that if the drivers vote for strike action, these could begin as early as the second week of December – causing “considerable disruption” to Christmas supplies.
Around 140 lorry drivers employed by DHL make deliveries across the south west for Sainsbury’s on an outsourced contract.
These drivers are scheduled to vote on strike action after DHL offered them a 3% increase over an 18-month period. Unite has said that the current offer “bears no comparison to the current RPI inflation rate of 4.9%.”
The ballot is set to open on 11th November and close on 25th November.
A Sainsbury’s spokesperson said the supermarket encouraged both sides to “keep talking”.
