Beer delivery workers are being balloted over industrial action that could coincide with the World Cup this winter. The major football tournament is taking place over the Christmas period this year due to it being staged in Qatar.
The festive season is always a key time for the hospitality sector but it will be even more important this year because of the World Cup taking place as well. The strikes would affect beer supplies to pubs and venues supplied by major breweries, including Heineken, Stonegate, Admiral Taverns and Shepherd Neame, The Caterer reports.
Around a thousand GXO draymen - who are responsible for approximately 40 per cent of the beer deliveries to UK pubs and venues - are being balloted for strike action until October 6 over a 5 per cent offer. The offer has been branded a "pay cut" by the Unite union who says it reduces sick pay and is "far below the 12.3 RPI rate of inflation".
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "GXO can well afford to pay our members a pay rise that reflects rising living costs. The current offer it has put forward goes nowhere near that reasonable demand. Unite will support our GXO members every step of the way in their fight for a fair pay rise. GXO needs to come back with a much-improved deal."
Unite national officer Joe Clarke added: "Any disruption to pub goers and GXO's clients will be entirely the fault of the company for refusing to offer a pay deal that reflects soaring prices. The company needs to table a cost of living pay rise for our members."
A GXO spokesperson said: "We believe our proposal is very fair and follows an above-inflation annual pay raise last year. When combined, the overall increase is in line with the industry average. We remain committed to maintaining an open dialogue with our employees and their representatives at all times."
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