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In a truly staggering act of corporate self-sabotage
Yodel picks fight with drivers at a time of mass shortages,
says GMB Union
Yodel faces a complete network standstill has GMB ballots lorry
drivers over strike action.
At a time of mass shortages, the delivery giant faces its LGV1
drivers walking out over pay and conditions.
The strike ballot opens on August 25 and closes on September 15 –
meaning industrial action could take place during Yodel's busiest
'peak' period in the lead up to Christmas.
The drivers are angry over their work life balance, the fact
agency workers are paid more than directly employed drivers,
annual leave payments that remain outstanding, a failure to offer
substantial pay enhancements to stem the tide of drivers leaving
the business for better paid jobs elsewhere and a failure to
honour contractual agreements around pay for holiday and sick
leave.
GMB has engaged in weeks of negotiations with the company who
have so far failed to act quickly enough to settle the drivers
demands or engage with the union on discussions around pay.
Nadine Houghton, GMB National Officer, said:
"In a truly staggering act of corporate self-sabotage, Yodel has
picked a fight with its organised LGV1 drivers at exactly the
moment they should be bending over backwards to make sure they
are happy and stay with the business.
“GMB has tried for many months to settle this dispute. Time again
drivers’ demands have fallen on deaf ears.
“Our members, who keep Yodel delivering parcels up and down the
country, know their worth and they are prepared to stand firm
until Yodel meet their reasonable demands.
"Revenue in Yodel is up, parcel deliveries are up, new customers
are coming on board.
“Yet Yodel want to cause trouble with the very workers that make
all of that possible - at a time when they are struggling to keep
hold of drivers, let alone being able to recruit new ones.
“It’s ridiculous behaviour and Yodel needs to see sense before
it’s too late.”
