// Sainsbury’s is set to see supplies hit as DHL workers vote to strike over pay
// This distribution centre supplies the grocer‘s stores across Scotland and Northern Ireland
Sainsbury’s stores throughout Scotland and Northern Ireland could see supply disruption next week as DHL workers are set to strike, after a poor pay offer was rejected by the employees.
Unite the union said the week-long strike action will hit supplies to the supermarket and revealed that a staggering 96% of DHL workers on a 68% turnout voted to take strike action.
This comes after DHL’s final offer was rejected, which represents a real terms pay cut with inflation soaring to hit a forty year high of 11.8%.
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This distribution centre supplies the supermarket’s stores across Scotland and Northern Ireland, meaning the move could impact stock reaching stores during the week-long industrial action, which is set to take place from 13 to 20 August.
Unite represents more than 300 DHL warehouse workers who are based at the distribution centre in Langlands Park East Kilbride that are taking action for a fair pay deal and equal treatment.
Accroding to the union, the company currently offers lower wages to workers based in Scotland.
DHL’s German owned parent company – Deutsche Post DHL Group – announced in May 2022 that its revenue improved by 19.8% to €22.6 billion.
With the company boasting of having recorded an ‘excellent opening quarter’ to 2022 with its operating profit increasing to €2.2 billion.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Our DHL Sainsbury’s members deserve a fair pay rise and to be treated equally with their fellow workers based throughout the UK,”
“Unite will challenge DHL and its mega-wealthy owners. We don’t do our members being treated as ‘second class’. They have their union’s full support in this fight for better jobs, pay and conditions at DHL Sainsbury’s.”
Unite regional officer Willie Thomson added: “The cost of living crisis is impacting every DHL Sainsbury’s worker equally but this billion pounds company continue to value their workers at East Kilbride less than others based throughout the UK.
“We will not tolerate this second class treatment of our members. Strike action is always a last resort but our members have no option but to take a stand.
“The company will soon know the value of its workforce when there will be empty shelves in Sainsbury’s stores throughout Scotland and Northern Ireland. All our members are asking for is the same wage rise.”
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