HGV drivers, employed by GXO on the contract to supply City Plumbing and PTS outlets, are set to take indefinite strike action from later this month, following the sacking of a Unite rep.

Trumped up charges

The drivers have voted for strike action following the dismissal of Unite representative Paul Roberts on “trumped up charges”.

The drivers, who are based at GXO’s Lockheed Road depot in Warrington, will begin their continuous strike action on Monday 22 May. Given the just-in-time nature of distribution contracts, City Plumbing and PTS will swiftly run short of materials.

Defend our reps

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite will do absolutely everything in its power to defend our reps. Unite can’t allow our reps to be victimised or dismissed by unscrupulous employers who’re desperate to break the union.

“Unite will leave no stone unturned until our member has been reinstated.”

Huge disruption

Unite regional officer Kenny Rowe said: “The strike action will cause huge disruption to City Plumbing and PTS and to plumbers across the UK, but this dispute is entirely of GXO’s own making.

“Not only has the company victimised a Unite rep but it has refused to accept the error of its ways and fairly resolved the situation.”

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.