A threatened strike involving nearly 500 HGV drivers supplying Morrisons stores across northern England has been called off after Unite reached an agreement with Eddie Stobart over the use of agency labour.
According to Unite, drivers based at Morrisons distribution centres in Wakefield, Stockton-on-Tees and Northwich had voted in favour of industrial action on 4 June. However, negotiations between the union and Eddie Stobart resulted in a deal before any strike action took place.
The dispute focused on the company’s use of agency drivers. Unite had claimed that around 40% of drivers at the Stockton and Northwich sites were agency workers and argued that directly employed drivers were being replaced by workers on less secure contracts with weaker terms and conditions.
The drivers are responsible for supplying Morrisons supermarkets with grocery products across northern England. Unite had previously warned that industrial action could lead to delivery disruption and shortages on store shelves.
The union announced that the threat of strike action had ended after Eddie Stobart signed an agreement addressing concerns that Unite described as “union-busting”.
Although the drivers are employed by Eddie Stobart rather than Morrisons, the dispute also placed pressure on the supermarket retailer. In May, a spokesperson for Culina Group said the company had been engaged in ongoing consultations with Unite regarding a long-term strategy for driver recruitment and retention amid continuing driver shortages.
Unite has described the outcome as a positive result for the affected drivers. The dispute highlights ongoing tensions within the UK road transport sector over the balance between agency labour, directly employed drivers and collective bargaining, particularly within supermarket supply chains where disruption can have an immediate impact on product availability.
