Morrisons Gadbrook staff could strike as Unite launch ballot

Unite is balloting workers at the Gadbrook vegetable packhouse amid an ongoing dispute over pensions and pay.

According to the union, changes made by the supermarket could see employees around £500 a year worse off.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite is focussed on our members’ jobs, pay and conditions and these unmerited changes to workers’ pensions will leave our members worse off every month.

“Unite will not stand for such behaviour from any employer, let alone one like Morrisons which is raking in massive profits in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis.

“It’s flagrant profiteering and then cutting our members’ take-home pay is a disgrace.”

The entrance to Morrisons Gadbrook (Image: Google Maps)

Approximately 1,000 Unite members work as stock controllers, cooks, canteen staff and administrators across two warehouses – the other being in Wakefield.

Their work ensures lorries are loaded and shelves filled in nearly 500 supermarkets and convenience stores.

Unite claim that these workers are being forced to increase their own pension contributions while Morrisons reduces its own contribution by the same amount.

This would mean employees are worse off in their pay packets while the supermarket giant pockets more money.

There are also changes workers have been made to adopt that Unite are unhappy with.

This includes a new ‘pick rate’ (the speed at which items are packed from warehouse shelves), the removal of a service award, enforced changes to job roles and a failure to correctly follow absence policies.

Unite national officer Adrian Jones added: “Our members provide a vital service ensuring supermarket shelves are full.

"Yet Morrisons have decided to unilaterally impose changes to their pensions that will leave them worse off and changes to the conditions that no one wants.

“Morrisons need to see sense and reverse these changes or they will see the anger of our members on the picket line.”

 The ballot opened on Thursday (April 18) and will close on May 9.

Should it be successful, and if no agreement is reached with Morrisons, industrial action will take place in the spring and summer.

Morrisons has been contacted for a response.