Dartford, UK: The union Unite has secured a ‘significant’ pay rise for more than 200 DHL lorry drivers employed at the Sainsbury’s regional distribution centre in Dartford.
The increase, worth 6.2%, equates to at least £2,200 pound a year and comes after the drivers signalled their willingness to strike over pay during a consultative ballot held in August.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “By standing firm and rejecting DHL’s initial offer of just 1%, Unite’s DHL members at Sainsbury’s Dartford distribution centre secured a pay deal that reflects their worth.”
DHL is contracted to run Sainsbury’s Dartford regional distribution centre, including driving and warehouse operations.
The drivers voted by 90% to accept the pay offer.
At the same time an inflation-busting pay rise has been negotiated for 350 drivers and warehouse staff working for drinks logistics giant GXO.
Unite said that it had negotiated a pay increase for drivers of up to 23% and a pay rise of up to 10% for warehouse staff employed by GXO, formerly XPO Primary Logistics. The 15-month award runs to 1 January 2023.
Unite national officer for the food and drinks sector Joe Clarke said: “This inflation-busting increase goes some way to address the cost of living increases our members are currently experiencing.
“It also helps the employer in relation to the labour shortages they are now facing within the food drinks sector post-Brexit and as we come out of the pandemic.”
The sites covered include Coventry, Derby, Hams Hall (Warwickshire), Livingston, Minworth (West Midlands), Newton Heath (Manchester), Thatcham (Berkshire) and Wakefield.
