London, UK: The Unite union has warned that Morrisons warehouse workers in Cheshire and Wakefield could take strike action over a pensions dispute. The union claims that Morrisons forced through changes to the workers’ pensions that will leave them worse off by around £500 a year. Additional changes that workers are being forced to adopt include a new, unpopular “pick rate” (the speed at which items are packed from the warehouse shelves).
Around 1,000 Unite members, including warehouse stock controllers, are being balloted for strike action. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite is focused on our members’ jobs, pay and conditions and these unmerited changes to workers’ pensions will leave our members worse off every month.
“Unite will not stand for such behaviour from any employer, let alone one like Morrisons who is raking in massive profits in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis. Its flagrant profiteering and then cutting our members’ take-home pay is a disgrace.”
Unite national officer Adrian Jones said: “Our members provide a vital service ensuring supermarket shelves are full. Yet Morrisons have decided to unilaterally impose changes to their pensions that will leave them worse off and changes to the conditions that no one wants.
“Morrisons need to see sense and reverse these changes or they will see the anger of our members on the picket line.”
The ballot for Unite members opened last week and will close on 9 May. If the ballot is successful, and if Morrisons does not make any concessions, industrial action will take place this spring and summer.