Rochdale HGV drivers' strike will cause Christmas ASDA shortages nationwide

Distribution drivers in Rochdale are set to strike on a number of dates around the Christmas period in a row over pay.

ASDA stores across the UK will be hit by shortages of chilled foods due to a series of strikes by HGV drivers based at the supermarket’s Rochdale distribution centre, according to trade union Unite in a statement released today (Friday).

Around 80 HGV drivers, employed by Wincanton on the ASDA contract, will strike over the Christmas period, on December 13, 15, 17, 20, 26, 28 and January 2, in a bid to achieve equal pay. The row centres on drivers in Rochdale being paid £1.24 an hour less than their counterparts doing the exact same role for ASDA at the Lutterworth distribution centre in Leicestershire. The Rochdale drivers’ overtime, night, weekend and bank holiday rates are also less than those paid at Lutterworth.

Both sets of drivers used to be employed by EV Cargo before transferring under TUPE regulations to new employers in 2021. The Lutterworth drivers are now employed directly by ASDA and the Rochdale drivers directly by Wincanton.   

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Our members are sick of being treated as second-class workers and are demanding pay parity with their colleagues who are doing the same job. Both ASDA and Wincanton are wealthy companies that can more than afford to right this wrong.

“Unite always defends our members’ jobs, pay and conditions and these drivers have the full support of their union behind them.”

Wincanton’s underlying pre-tax profits increased by 6.9 per cent to a record £62.1 million in the 12 months to March 2023, while ASDA brought in revenues of £24.5 billion in 2022.

The strikes are expected to lead to shortages at ASDA stores across the country. 

Unite regional officer Paul Lomax said: “ASDA shoppers will be disappointed that shelves could run bare during the festive period, but this is entirely the fault of Wincanton and ASDA for denying our members’ pay parity.

“Strike action can only be avoided if Wincanton makes a vastly improved offer, the ball is now firmly in its court.”