MORRISONS staff are heading to the picket line.

Around 1,000 workers at the supermarket chain’s warehouses in Northwich and Wakefield will begin strike action tomorrow.

It comes after Unite members working as stock controllers, cooks, canteen staff and administrators were balloted amid a dispute over pay and pensions.

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

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

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

Northwich Guardian: Staff will be striking outside the warehouse from 5am on Thursday (May 23)Staff will be striking outside the warehouse from 5am on Thursday (May 23) (Image: Google Maps)

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

This will result in staff being  “significantly worse off” in their pay packets, with the supermarket giant pocketing the extra money.

Workers are also being compelled to adopt new pick rates (the speed at which items are packed from warehouse shelves) as well as changes to job roles and the removal of a long service award.

Staff at the two affected warehouses ensure lorries are loaded and shelves are filled in nearly 500 supermarkets and convenience stores run by Morrisons.

With six days of strike action planned, Unite national officer Adrian Jones has warned customers to expect empty shelves.

He said: "The strike action will inevitably cause shortages and empty shelves across Morrisons stores but this dispute is entirely of the company’s own making.

“Despite our best efforts over a number of meetings, it seems that Morrisons is not interested in resolving this dispute as they have refused to negotiate over the changes to our members' pensions and long service awards.

“We have attempted to get management to see sense and find a way forward but to no avail.”

Unite members will strike from 5am on Thursday (May 23) until 5am on Sunday (May 26).

They will strike again from 5am June 13 until 5am June 16.