Hundreds of Sainsbury’s lorry drivers are being balloted for strike action as the supermarket giant looks to outsource their jobs.
Unite the Union said “around 500” drivers based in Essex and Birmingham are considering industrial action as the grocery chain is set to transfer them to logistics giant Wincanton at the end of April.
The union claims the transfer would result in the drivers no longer being eligible for benefits they receive as Sainsbury’s employees, such as a 15% discount card worth up to £1.6k a year in savings, as well as share save and incentive schemes.
The ballot for strike action opens on 26 February and will close on 11 March.
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Unite has warned that if the strike action does go ahead, it will “cause severe disruption to deliveries” from distribution centres in Coleshill, Birmingham and Waltham Abbey, Essex to Sainsbury’s stores.
The supermarket chain announced in April last year it was investing £220m in making “big, bold” changes in its logistics operations.
As part of the restructure, the grocer is streamlining its multiple different logistics contracts to just three across transport, food and general merchandise and clothing by 2024.
The retailer is moving transport services for most of its operations, including Sainsbury’s, Argos and its central transport functions to Wincanton.
The new supply chain partner will remain responsible for Sainsbury’s convenience store operations, servicing stores across London and the south-east of England.
Unite national officer Matt Draper said: “There is still time to resolve this dispute before it escalates. But for that to happen, Sainsbury’s must get back around the negotiating table and put forward a deal our members can accept.”
A Sainsbury’s spokesperson said: “We are committed to further talks. In the meantime we can reassure our customers we have contingency plans in place to minimise any disruption, should the action go ahead.”
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