- Yodel has seen fit to pick a fight with its loyal workforce
in the midst of a chronic, nationwide driver shortage, says GMB
Union
A strike ballot of Yodel lorry drivers begins today with the
delivery giant facing a complete network standstill.
More than 250 Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) drivers will vote on
whether to take industrial action over pay and conditions.
The strike ballot 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.
Andy Prendergast, GMB National Secretary, said:
"Yodel has seen fit to pick a fight with its loyal workforce in
the midst of a chronic, nationwide driver shortage.
“What on earth are they thinking?
“Yodel has consistently ignored the agreements they have with
their drivers. Instead of antagonising them Yodel should be
moving heaven and earth to keep them on side.
“GMB has tried for many months to settle this dispute, but the
Yodel top brass don’t want to listen.
Time again drivers’ demands have fallen on deaf ears.
