Gloucester UPS depot workers to strike

The city of Gloucester is braced for a summer of delays and disruption to parcel deliveries after workers at the local depot of UPS announced strike action in a long running dispute over bullying, health and safety and dignity at work.

The workers, who are members of Unite have been trying to resolve the issues in the workplace at Gloucester Business Park, Hurricane Road, for 18 months without success and have been left with no option but to ballot for strike action.

Over 50 members of staff were balloted and members recorded a 100 per cent vote in favour of strike action.

The first strike, which will last for 24 hours, will begin on Friday 30 July. This will be followed by a week-long strike from Monday, August 2 until Friday, August 6. There will then be further 24-hour strike actions on August 9, 27, 31.

Strike dates have also been announced for September with a three-day strike beginning on September 1 and a 24-hour strike on September 6.

In addition to members raising concerns about health and safety at the workplace, Unite understands that the Health and Safety Executive is also actively investigating safety breaches at the company’s premises.

Unite national officer for logistics Matt Draper said, “Our members have been trying to resolve these issues for 18 months without success.

“No one should have to come to work under the fear of being bullied or enter a workplace that is not safe,” he added.

“Sadly UPS has consistently failed to address our members concerns and as a result workers are taking strike action as a last resort to finally get these matters resolved.

“Strike action will cause huge disruption and delays to the parcel service in Gloucester and the surrounding areas, not just on the days of the strikes but throughout the summer,” Draper continued.

“There is still time for this dispute to be resolved but UPS needs to come forward with meaningful proposals to resolve the problems that our members are facing in the workplace.”

Barckley Sumner