London, UK: The Unite union has raised the prospect of mass walkouts by lorry drivers if wages and conditions are not improved.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The treatment of drivers across the board has been nothing short of a disgrace. As the prime minister said recently, the answer to the driver shortage is better wages and improved conditions. This is what we demand.
“Now is the time for action not words. Britain’s drivers kept the nation moving during the worst crisis in living memory. It’s time for employers to pay workers a proper rate for the job. Enough is enough.
“Unite will be consulting its members before deciding on next steps, including exploring the options for industrial action. I will not allow workers to pay the price for the pandemic.”
The Telegraph reported that a spokesman for the Department for Transport accused unions of threatening to “hold Christmas hostage”, adding that any mass walkout would “damage the work being done to restore supply chains at this vital time of year”.
Adrian Jones, the national officer for road transport at Unite, said drivers were demanding a “firm commitment” from the government to provide more truckstops with clean toilets and catering facilities.
