About 100 HGV drivers at premium aviation catering firm DO & CO at Heathrow will be voting on new pay deal that is worth just under 14 per cent overall, Unite the union said today (Thursday 3 March).

This means that the strikes due to have taken place tomorrow (Friday 4 March) and Saturday (5 March) over pay have been suspended while the drivers vote on the offer. The ballot is expected to be completed by Friday 11 March.

The pay offer means that the drivers, who joined DO & CO as part of the 2020 TUPE transfer process, will receive a six per cent increase on basic pay. Additionally, the base salary for other drivers will rise to £33,000-a-year thereby achieving parity for all drivers that amounts to just under a 14 per cent increase in pay from 1 April 2022.  The company has also recognised Unite for collective bargaining for the drivers and talks on recognition for the rest of the workforce continue.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This pay offer to our HGV driver members at Heathrow is a tribute to the solidarity they have shown, standing firm to get the rate for the job for all. It reflects their dedication and hard work. 

“With recognition for Unite also achieved, we will continue to defend and enhance the jobs, pay and conditions of our members.”

Unite regional officer Shereen Higginson said: “We hope to work constructively with management in the future on a number of issues, including gaining trade union recognition for the rest of the workforce.”

ENDS

Notes to editors: 

The current pay dispute started with the transfer (TUPE) of 1,800 workers from Gate Gourmet and DHL Supply Service Chain to DO & CO Event & Airline Catering Ltd in the summer of 2020 at the height of the pandemic.  

For more information please contact Unite senior communications officer Shaun Noble on 020 3371 2060 or 07768 693940. Unite press office is on:  020 3371 2065.

Please note the numbers above are for journalists’ enquiries only.

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @unitetheunion Facebook: unitetheunion1 Web: unitetheunion.org 

Unite is the leading union in the UK and Ireland, dedicated to defending and improving members' jobs, pay and conditions. The general secretary is Sharon Graham.