Workers at GXO’s Feltham site in West London are escalating strike plans in a dispute over low pay, affecting food and beverage distribution.
- The planned strike by HGV drivers and warehouse workers will now extend from 15 to 22 days, starting on 28 May and ending on 18 June.
- The strike, originally set for weekdays, will now include weekend shifts by warehouse workers, heightening potential supply disruptions.
- Pay rates for affected workers fall below the London Living Wage, with union representatives citing financial struggles due to the cost-of-living crisis.
- GXO Logistics claims negotiations are ongoing, yet both sides remain apart, raising concerns over prolonged disruptions.
The workers at GXO’s Feltham site, located in West London, are poised to intensify their industrial action over ongoing pay disputes. Originally, the strike was scheduled for 15 days but has now been extended to 22 days, spanning from 28 May to 18 June. This extended strike will encompass weekend shifts for warehouse workers, potentially exacerbating disruptions in the distribution of food and beverages across the capital.
Central to this dispute is the claim by union Unite that the pay for workers at the site is alarmingly low, reportedly falling short of the London Living Wage, which is currently set at £13.15 an hour. Unite has highlighted the significant burden this places on employees, especially amidst a worsening cost-of-living crisis, with HGV drivers’ rates reportedly also below the prevailing market standards.
The goods transported by GXO workers include supplies for well-known brands such as Costa Coffee and Whitbread, raising concerns that provisions could become scarce during the strike. Unite’s general secretary, Sharon Graham, has vociferously criticised GXO Logistics, accusing the company of prioritising profits over fair wages, describing their stance as motivated by ‘sheer greed.’
The union’s regional officer, Lui D’Cunha, emphasised the critical role that these workers play in the company’s operations, arguing that GXO has had numerous chances to present a fair pay offer yet has declined to do so. In response, GXO Logistics has asserted confidence that the impending industrial action will not disrupt deliveries from the site. They have reiterated their commitment to reaching an agreement through continuing discussions with ACAS and Unite.
A spokesperson for GXO stated that an enhanced offer had been presented but criticised Unite for not communicating this to their members. The company remains hopeful that ongoing negotiations might mitigate the impact of the strike. However, given the current stalemate, the possibility of sustained disruptions looms large, impacting both the workers’ livelihoods and the supply chain.
If unresolved, the strike’s extension poses significant challenges for GXO Logistics and its supply chain operations.
