Over 400 workers, employed by logistics company XPO Transport Solutions Ltd, will begin strike action early next month in a dispute over low pay.

The workers, who comprise both lorry drivers and warehouse workers and are members of Unite, the UK’s leading union, have been forced into taking industrial action as XPO has refused to address pay rates that are far lower than its rivals.

Week long strike

The initial week long strike will begin on Monday 7 February and will last until Sunday 13 February and there is a further scheduled week-long strike from Monday 21 February and ending on Sunday 27 February.

Penny pinching

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The penny pinching has to stop. Our members at XPO fully deserve to be paid in line with other workers in the sector.

“Unite does what it says on the trade union tin and always defends the job, pay and conditions of its members. Our members at XPO will be receiving the union’s complete support until the company makes them a decent offer.”

Severe delays

The strike action will inevitably cause severe delays of deliveries to XPO’s clients, they include car and lorry makers: Mazda, Scania, Mercedes and VW Group. XPO’s other major clients include: plastic pipe maker Wavin, window manufacturer Velux, air conditioning and refrigeration company Daiken as well as Tata Steel.

The strike action will affect the following XPO depots: Bury St Edmunds, Crick, Gloucester, Hounslow, Leigh, Luton (Vauxhall), Motherwell, Rochester, Sheffield, Taunton, Wakefield,

Bumper returns

The company is fully able to pay its workers a decent increase the parent company reported record revenue for any quarter in the company’s history for the third quarter of 2021 with revenue of $3.27 billion. The company also hugely benefited from the UK government’s furlough scheme receiving between £12 - £25 million in payments.

Despite the announcement of extensive strike action, Unite is still committed to resolving the dispute through negotiations and will take an active part in talks at conciliation service Acas later this week.

Poor relations

Unite national officer Matt Draper said: “Unite’s members at XPO continue to be the sector’s poor relations and are simply unable and unwilling to tolerate low pay any longer. With inflation surging and a growing cost of living crisis, they are struggling to make ends meet, while XPO executives continue to receive inflated salaries and exorbitant bonuses.

“Even at this late stage Unite is committed to resolving this dispute through negotiation. However, the ball is firmly in XPO’s court. The company needs to bring forward an offer which meets our members’ aspirations in order to avoid strikes.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

During the coronavirus crisis Unite is working to keep workers and the public safe, to defend jobs and to protect incomes.

For media enquiries ONLY please contact Unite senior communications officer Barckley Sumner on 07802 329235 or 0203 371 2067.

Email: [email protected]

Unite is the UK and Ireland’s leading union fighting to protect and advance jobs, pay and conditions for members working across all sectors of the economy. The general secretary is Sharon Graham.