'Walkers crisps pay row' latest

Pay talks involving the drivers delivering Walkers crisps, who are employed by Eddie Stobart Ltd at its Warrington depot, are continuing – and, as a result, three days of strike action due to have started today (February 17) have been suspended.

Unite the union said that positive talks with the Stobart management yesterday (February 16) has led to the 38 drivers to suspend their strike which was due to run until Friday night (February 19).

Further talks over the long-standing row over pay for the drivers at the Birchwood site will continue next week. However, depending on how negotiations progress, strike action from February 28 to March 2 remains in place.

The drivers deliver some of the nation’s favourite snacks produced by Walkers Snack Foods, including the ever-popular Walkers crisps, to regional distribution deports across the UK.

Unite regional officer Steve Gerrard said, “Following constructive talks yesterday with the Stobart management, we have suspended the three days of strike action due to have started today to allow negotiations to take place next week.

“Unite will be entering the next round of talks on our members’ long-standing dispute over pay in a positive frame of mind,” he added. “However, the strikes due to run from 28 February to 2 March remain in place and whether these go ahead are dependent on how the talks progress.”

“Unite won’t be commenting further until the negotiations have concluded.”

The drivers had voted by 96 per cent to strike.

By Shaun Noble