Warehouse staff in Wiltshire county in South West England, working on behalf of the Iceland supermarket chain have announced dates for strike action.
Article continues below
Unite members employed by the logistics contractor, GXO, work in the cold storage warehouses that supply Iceland supermarkets across the South West of England.
The majority earn the minimum wage and have rejected a below-inflation two-year pay deal offered by GXO. Despite further negotiations by Unite, GXO has refused to offer a fair pay rise to workers who endure sub-zero temperatures throughout their shifts.
Close to 150 Unite members across two sites in Swindon will now walk out on the following dates: 14 December – 18 December and then 27 December – 30 December.
The industrial action will cripple GXO’s ability to transport stock to Iceland supermarkets and could see a shortage on shelves and freezers in the run-up to Christmas.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “GXO is a multinational company with billions of pounds of revenue yet pays our members little more than the minimum wage. GXO has made a cynical choice to suppress wages to further boost its already gigantic profits. It needs to urgently reconsider its pay offer to the very workers who generate its income.”
Last year Iceland made profits of £120m [1] while GXO Logistics generates huge revenues.
Unite regional officer Paddy Brennan added: “GXO have refused to make an offer that meets our members needs or expectations and now, in the run up to their busiest period of the year, workers will be heading to the picket line.
“Unite will be backing our members in their fight for a pay deal that addresses the cost of living crisis they are suffering. Without them, Mum won’t be going to Iceland for Christmas this year.” ■
An upper level high pressure system is expected to continue aiding well above average and potentially dangerous temperatures throughout the West into the first full weekend of September.