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22 Sep 2021

UK: Lorry drivers threaten strike action amid supply chain disruptions; incl. company comments

In 2021, lorry drivers across various sectors in the United Kingdom engaged with their unions and voted to strike over pay and working conditions.

Strike action came amid lorry driver shortages caused by multiple issues, including poor working conditions, the pandemic and Brexit, and thus created fears of further supply chain disruption prior to the Christmas period.

In September 2021, Booker drivers at the company's Thamesmead site voted to strike over pay, after some workers were given a £5-an-hour pay rise because of the driver shortage, while others were not. This threatened to disrupt deliveries to over 1,500 convenience stores in London and the South-east. In October 2021, the strive was suspended after workers voted to accept a pay offer from Booker. However in December 2021, Unite accused the company of 'reneging' on their deal, and announced strikes would begin from 23 December continuing throughout Christmas Eve. Unite suspended the strike after Booker agreed to conduct a pay review

Hanson cement lorry drivers voted to strike after rejecting a pay rise of 2.5%, which they argued would amount to a cut in real terms.

Yodel lorry drivers voted to strike after a failure to reach an agreement with Yodel over pay and working conditions. Workers reported poor work-life balance, a failure to honour contractual agreements on holiday pay and sick leave, and no substantial pay increases to keep drivers from finding jobs elsewhere.

Please find company comments below.

Timeline