As MT went to press, it was confirmed that the Unite union is in negotiations with Tesco over the transfer of 250 of its staff at Middlewich, Cheshire, to Eddie Stobart. The supermarket says its intention is to overhaul the current situation - whereby Tesco, Stobart and agency drivers are all involved in distribution - and allow the road haulage company to control the entire operation.
However, Unite regional industrial organiser Maria Smythe says it has come up with a proposal enabling
Tesco to secure all 220 driving jobs. The union has concerns over the pay and conditions of drivers that could transfer.
A Tesco spokesman says: "Following our latest review, we intend to transfer the Middlewich transport operation to Eddie Stobart, subject to consultation with the trade union." Eddie Stobart operations director David Pickering says he cannot comment because of the negotiations.
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