There is a warning that things 'will only get worse' if strike action with delivery drivers continues in the build- up to Christmas
Warehouse workers, drivers and customer care staff employed by Arrow XL demonstrated outside the company's head office on Liverpool's historic Albert Dock today, November 22, as they ramp up their industrial action campaign in response to the company’s "poverty pay rates".
Some 350 workers at the company, who deliver for major retailers including Amazon, Very Group, LG Electronics, Richer Sounds and Buy it Direct, have been striking since October 24.
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Unite the Union officer Adrian Jones said: “The strike action is playing havoc with the delivery schedules of Arrow’s clients and this is only going to get worse as Christmas approaches and demand increases. This dispute is entirely of Arrow’s own making. It has had many opportunities to resolve the dispute but has declined to do so.”
The union said that the workers, who travelled from Enfield, Wigan and Worcester to rally outside company headquarters, received "very low wages", with many only receiving the minimum wage of £9.50 an hour.
They rejected Arrow XL's pay increase offer of as little as 5%, as this is not in-line with current inflation levels.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The workers at Arrow can’t and won’t accept poverty pay rates any longer. It appears that the company’s management is trying to pretend the dispute is not happening, which is why Unite is bringing its workers to its door.
“Arrow’s ultimate owners are billionaires and they should be shocked that one of their companies is paying its workers so poorly.
“Unite is the union which always puts the jobs, pay and conditions of its members first and our members at Arrow will receive the union’s unflinching support.”
The protests will continue on Thursday and Saturday.
An Arrow XL spokesman said: "We can confirm that 350 of our employees, less than 30% of our total workforce, are members of Unite and we have seen minimal disruption across the sites as a result of the strike action.
"We have already awarded all colleagues the increase that was offered during the negotiations that equates to an average of 8.25% (range of 5% to 35.6%) and made enhancements to sick, maternity, paternity and jury service pay as we are mindful of the cost of living challenges our people are facing. The pay award has already been backdated to January 7 and follows a series of increasing awards over the last few years of 3.5% in 2021 and 2.8% in 2020. Pay will be reviewed again in less than two months time in January 2023.
"We are extremely disappointed to be in this situation as we believe our pay offer to be fair, particularly in the light of our significantly increased operating costs and the need to keep home delivery charges reasonable for consumers. We would like to express our utmost thanks and appreciation to all colleagues who continue to attend work as normal, we are very grateful for their ongoing support."
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