Unions Call Off Strike At Morrisons

Return to main [news page]

Date: 30 September 2005

Following talks yesterday the trade unions representing the Morrisons distribution workers agreed to call of the strike action planned to begin on Friday 30th September 2005.

Jude Brimble, GMB National Officer for wholesale distribution said, “The strike threat forced Morrisons to put their plans on the table and to concede national bargaining. We are now in the midst of serious talks about what looks like a very large redundancy. We are exploring all avenues to mitigate the job losses including transfers, selling depots as going concerns and an enhanced redundancy package. We have called off the strike and there are further talks planned for October 11th.”

End

Contact: Steve Pryle, GMB Press Officer on 07921 289880 or 07743 278255

Notes to editors: Morrisons have confirmed to their workforce last week that three depots Aylesford Kent, Warrington Cheshire and Bristol, employing 2,500 people are under threat since they are no longer needed by Morrisons. The company is now obliged by law to formerly consult the unions and the workers for a 90-day period to take all possible measures to avoid job losses. The 90-day period will start on October 10th 2005. GMB and TGWU balloted their members for strike action in protest at the company’s refusal to discuss the problems with the unions nationally. The members voted for industrial action and Morrisons conceded national bargaining last week, which led to the threatened three day stoppage from Friday 23rd September being postponed for a week. Fresh talks took place yesterday, which resulted in enough progress for the unions to call off the threatened strikes.