Members of Unite, the UK’s leading union, will dress as Robin Hood and stage a protest at the Holland and Barrett store in Bognor Regis, West Sussex, due to the health food company’s commercial relationship with Logistics Group Holdings Ltd.

WHEN: Thursday 2 February 14:00

WHERE: 17 London Road, Bognor Regis, PO21 1PQ

The protest is a result of a long running pay dispute by Unite members employed by two person delivery company Arrow XL. Arrow XL, alongside parcel delivery firm Yodel, are both part of Logistics Group Holdings Ltd, which is owned by Sir David and Sir Frederick Barclay Family Settlements.

Robin Hood in reverse

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Logistics Group Holdings are guilty of acting as Robin Hood in reverse - they are taking from poorly paid workers and giving to hugely wealthy directors.

“Until our members at Arrow XL receive a fair pay increase, Unite will use every opportunity to expose the actions of Logistics Group Holdings to cut wages in order to boost profits.”

Arrow XL

Around 350 members of Unite employed by Arrow XL are currently re-balloting for industrial action, having already taken extensive strike action in the pay dispute. The workforce is very poorly paid, with many workers on just the minimum wage, while others earn barely above that figure.

With the true inflation rate (RPI) currently at 13.4 per cent, Arrow has only been prepared to offer its workers a five per cent pay increase. This is despite the company being highly profitable. Its highest paid director was paid £539,000 in 2021, an 84 per cent increase on the previous year.

Yodel customer

Holland and Barrett is a high profile customer of Yodel. Yodel accounted for 93 per cent of Logistics Group Holdings' net profits in 2021.

Other companies that have a relationship with Logistics Group Holdings delivery companies include Marks and Spencer, Jo Malone and Zara.

Numerous opportunities 

Unite national officer Adrian Jones said: “Unite has given Arrow XL numerous opportunities to make a fair pay offer to its members but it has consistently failed to do so.”

ENDS

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.