Supermarket strike fears as unions ballot (From Warrington Guardian)

Supermarket strike fears as unions ballot

MORE than 550 workers at Morrisons' Gadbrook Park distribution depot are to be balloted on strike action, which if successful could leave shop shelves empty.

The move forms part of a co-ordinated national plan in five key warehouses stretching from Scotland to Kent, and would be the first time workers have ever cut off a supermarket supply chain.

The Transport and General Workers Union and GMB gave the statutory seven days notice to the supermarket giant last week after failing to get a positive response on their demand for national bargaining.

It is the latest in a string of problems to hit Morrisons since it acquired Safeway early last year, with difficulties arising following attempts to unify supply systems following the takeover.

Brian Revell, national organiser for food and agriculture for T&G, said: "The merger of Safeway operations into Morrisons has caused no end of problems for our members.

"We believe the best way to deal with the situation would be to stop being in denial, as Morrisons appear to be, and agree to work with the unions to provide a national framework so we can address issues collectively."

A statement from Morrisons said: "We find the GMB and T&G's approach perplexing as they are determined to try and force our company to deal with them as one body and on a national basis.

"They have an open invitation to each come and discuss with us any concerns they may have individually.

"We have also invited them to meet with us to talk about the integration process, as we believe engaging in discussion with the company would be more helpful to their members."