London and South East in beer drought threat

London and the South East England are facing a beer drought this summer as delivery drivers, draymen and warehouse operatives employed by GXO ballot for strike action over draconian disciplinary matters.

Unite is balloting 120 members at GXO’s Croydon depot over the excessive disciplinary issues and the company’s failure to follow the existing agreement on such matters.

The workers deliver to over 3,000 customers in London, Essex, Kent, Surrey and Sussex. The principal deliveries involve Heineken, Stonegate, Shepherd Neame and Admiral Taverns.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said, “Unite will not allow GXO’s draconian and unfair disciplinary procedures to continue unchecked. This appalling management has to end.

“Unite is now solely focussed on the jobs, pay and conditions of its members and the workers at GXO will receive the union’s complete support.”

The ballot will close on Wednesday, July 5. If workers vote for industrial action, strikes could begin in mid-July and continue until Christmas.

There is a possibility that due to GXO’s failure to apply the existing agreement with Unite, the dispute could be extended nationally to other depots operated by the company.

Unite regional officer Peter Travers added, “GXO has had every opportunity to resolve this issue through negotiations but has stubbornly refused to do so.

“If strikes go ahead it will cause severe disruption to beer supplies across London and the South East, but this dispute is entirely of GXO’s own making and the high handed manner in which it is treating its workforce.”

By Barckley Sumner