Drivers working for Elland-based paving supplier Marshalls will stage a 24-hour strike next week in a long-running row over pay.
And union Unite warned that industrial action could escalate if management “continues to dig in its heels over holding constructive negotiations”.
The 24-hour stoppage from 1am next Monday (June 13) is expected to cause disruption for builders’ merchants supplied by Marshalls – including Marshalls’ two biggest customers, Travis Perkins with 1,900 outlets and Jewson with more than 600 branches.
The dispute is about a disparity in overtime payments for the LGV drivers that deliver to customers from 14 Marshalls manufacturing sites across the UK. Unite says the drivers receive time and a third for overtime worked, while manufacturing employees get time and a half.
Unite national officer John Allott said: “This vote for industrial action demonstrates a sense of anger among drivers at Marshalls over pay and the increasingly belligerent attitude of management.
“The last thing our members want to do is to take industrial action and cause disruption for the two biggest customers of Marshalls - Travis Perkins and Jewson.
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“But faced with an increasingly hostile management, our members have clearly signalled they are prepared to take industrial action to achieve pay justice. We would urge the company to engage meaningfully with Unite to resolve the dispute and improve industrial relations for the long-term.”
A spokesperson for Marshalls said: “Naturally, we are very disappointed that our HGV driver Unite members have taken the decision to
move to strike action, particularly when we have been actively communicating with them over the issues under discussion.
“Marshalls believes it offers a very competitive driver’s package, with rates far in excess of the industry average,and attractive working patterns. As a result, in a sector where there is a national shortage of HGV drivers, Marshalls has had no difficulty in attracting quality drivers into the business and the company enjoys very low attrition, with the majority of our drivers being with the company for many years.
“Only around half of Marshalls’ drivers are union members and many have also stated that they do not want or intend to participate in strike action. Furthermore, Marshalls is well-positioned to supplement the existing fleet with external haulage providers and has detailed contingency plans in place to support our customers should the action continue.
“As ever, Marshalls remains committed to working with our Unite members to attempt to resolve the issue.”
