UK drinkers face beer drought if GXO delivery workers strike over pay

1,000 draymen based at 22 sites balloted over ‘pay cut’ from firm making hundreds of millions

The workers, who are responsible for about 40 percent of the beer deliveries to UK pubs and venues, are being balloted for strike action until 6 October over a five percent offer. 

The offer, which comes with a caveat that sick pay is reduced, is far below the 12.3 RPI rate of inflation, meaning it is a pay cut. 

In August, GXO reported that its UK operations brought in revenues of £687 million from 1 April to June 20 and boosted its profits forecast.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “GXO can well afford to pay our members a pay rise that reflects rising living costs. The current offer it has put forward goes nowhere near that reasonable demand. Unite will support our GXO members every step of the way in their fight for a fair pay rise. GXO needs to come back with a much-improved deal.”

Strikes would impact beer supplies to pubs and venues supplied by major breweries, including Heineken, Stonegate, Admiral Taverns and Shepherd Neame, during the World Cup and the Christmas period.

GXO sites being balloted are in Coventry, Avonmouth, Norwich, Greenford, Dagenham, Croydon, Faversham, Thatcham, Southampton, Livingston, Dundee, Aberdeen, Inverness, Dumfries, Ivybridge, Swansea, Anglesey, Manchester, Preston, Carlisle, Washington and Wakefield.

Unite national officer Joe Clarke said: “Any disruption to pub goers and GXO’s clients will be entirely the fault of the company for refusing to offer a pay deal that reflects soaring prices. The company needs to table a cost of living pay rise for our members.”

ENDS