Bradford, UK: Industrial action by Morrisons’ warehouse staff in Cheshire and Yorkshire has been called off after workers accepted a new deal following a dispute over pensions, pay and working conditions.
The staff walked out last month and further walk-outs were planned for June. According to the union, workers took strike action over proposed changes to their pension contributions which would have left them “hundreds of pounds a year worse off”. The union said workers were being forced to increase their pension contributions, while the supermarket cut its own. The union was also concerned about other issues surrounding pay and conditions.
However, Unite has announced that, following a ballot on the new offer on June 10, workers have now accepted a new deal. This would see them contribute the same amount as currently towards their pensions.
Morrisons also agreed to apply a 9% increase to all rates of pay from 1 July and introduce a new service award scheme which would pay up to £350 for long-service milestones.
“Pick rates”, which dictate the speed items must be packed from shelves, are also to be reviewed, Unite said.
The union’s national officer, Adrian Jones, told the BBC: “Our members took to the picket line and were prepared to disrupt supplies to Morrisons’ stores to make their anger felt.
“They stood strong and have won an important workplace victory including improved pay and conditions as well as protecting their pension contributions.”
Unite union general secretary, Sharon Graham, said: “This is a great win for our members at Morrisons. I’m delighted they have achieved their goals and that the supermarket has seen sense and come up with an acceptable outcome.”
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