News

Tesco and the TGWU section of the Unite trade union were both claiming a success this week following three days of strike action at the supermarket's depot in Scotland over drivers' pay and conditions. The union claims picket lines reduced supplies coming out of the Livingston depot by 75% and the public were behind the drivers' stand against Tesco. It is now considering a national ballot for strike action.

Conversely, Tesco says it was "absolutely not" affected by the strike and it was  "business as usual". A spokesman says: "Not a single lorry was turned away. Trucks were coming through there were half a dozen people on the picket line. "I was there," he continues. "The union are talking a big game. There was no impact whatsoever."

Eddie Stobart was dragged into the dispute after agreeing to pick up on any shortfall. One source tells Motor Transport: "Stobart sent God knows how many drivers from Bridgewater in Somerset and they had to break the picket line. It's been pretty nasty - vehicles have been egged and there was a lot of abuse thrown on the picket line. The drivers said it was worse than they thought."

Ron Webb, the trade union's road transport secretary says: "Tesco are being hit by the Livingston strike and in denial about what it is all about. We will start the national ballot unless the company commits to meaningful talks with us." The Tesco spokesman says there are no plans to sit down with the union to find a resolution to the dispute.