Co-op drivers could take industrial action after Coventry staff transferred to Eddie Stobart

[dutchman]

More than 1,000 Co-op drivers across the country are to be consulted on industrial action after 50 drivers at its Coventry distribution centre were transferred to haulier Eddie Stobart.



At a meeting yesterday Co-op bosses told the drivers based at the Co-op’s national distribution centre on Prologis Park in Longford about the Eddie Stobart move, which will come into effect in April.

The huge 310,000 sq ft Coventry operation supplies regional Co-op distribution centres around the UK and employs almost 700 staff.

The action, from union Unite, has been prompted by concerns for the job security of the Coventry drivers and in the long term for drivers at other centres across the UK if the Co-op continues to outsource driving operations.

Speaking about Eddie Stobart move the union said it had “serious concerns” about the haulier.

As such it plans to consult Co-op drivers based at Coventry, as well as those in Birtley, Newcastle, Carrickfergus, Castlewood, Newhouse, Plymouth and Thurrock - with a view to a subsequent ballot for industrial action.

In 2012, Unite was embroiled in a long-running dispute when Tesco transferred 184 workers to Eddie Stobart.

The drivers were subsequently issued with termination of employment notices. Unite said many of the drivers who lost their jobs were still out of work.

Unite national officer for retail distribution Adrian Jones said: “We are very opposed to this proposed transfer of Co-op drivers to Eddie Stobart.

“The Co-op has already intimated that it does not see itself as a haulier. It is our belief that with four sites already outsourced in Andover, Avonmouth, Cambridgeshire and the north west, the plans to outsource Coventry are the thin end of the wedge.”

“We are taking the temperature for industrial action and expect to then move to a full industrial action ballot.”

Mr Jones said the union was “very disappointed” given the fact it had been supportive of the Co-op recently when it went through “difficult times” and added: “The Co-op’s Christmas retail figures were encouraging, but we see this decision as a big retrograde step.

“All Unite is asking is that we have more time to investigate the viability of the comprehensive list of suggestions put forward by our shop stewards at Coventry to increase efficiency and reduce costs.

“But the management has declined to give us that opportunity, which is a great shame given the long-standing ethical values of the Co-op.”

A Co-op spokesman said: “We have entered into consultation with affected colleagues regarding some of our logistics operations.

“The consultation is with colleagues about the proposed changes and how they are potentially impacted.”

The Co-Op is rotten to the core, has been for a long time.

[rebbonk]

Sadly Dutchman, I must concur.

[dutchman]

They might not be working for either:

Co-op move to outsource driving from Coventry base to haulier Eddie Stobart branded 'kick in the teeth'

A move by the Co-op to outsource driving operations from its national distribution centre in Coventry to haulier Eddie Stobart has been branded “a kick in the teeth” by a long-serving driver based there.

The driver also said the deal flew in the face of the Co-op’s “ethics and values”.

The Telegraph revealed the union Unite is planning to consult around 1,000 Co-op drivers across the UK in the wake of the announcement with a view to holding a ballot on industrial action.

Unite’s concerns are prompted by a battle between the union and Eddie Stobart in 2012 when Tesco transferred 184 workers to the haulier.

The drivers were subsequently issued with termination of employment notices. Unite said many of the drivers who lost their jobs were still out of work.

The Coventry Co-op driver, who does not wish to be named, said: “This is one of the reasons why people are so angry.

“Eddie Stobart have a history of coming into a depot and after a couple of days put you on 90 days notice and you lose your job.

“There’s a feeling deals are being done and we don’t think everything is as transparent as the Co-op are saying.

“The Co-op is run on community values - Eddie Stobart is a real kick in the teeth. It is completely against the ethics and values of the Co-op.”

The driver also backed union claims the deal did not make good business sense.

Unite has called for more time to investigate the viability of “a comprehensive list of suggestions” put forward by shop stewards at Coventry to increase efficiency and reduce costs.

He said: “The union got together with them last week and proved keeping it in-house would be cheaper than outsourcing it.

“They could put a new infrastructure in place to save costs. Despite that they still want to outsource it.

“We have proved we can still run it cheaper than a third party.”

He added: “We are just the tip of the iceberg. Eventually they will roll it out over the whole country.

“The union is going to ballot for strike action and is fully expecting a national strike.

“We don’t really know what’s around the corner but I’m seriously wondering whether to go and look for work elsewhere.”

[rebbonk]

Is this covered under TUPE?

[dutchman]

Co-op drivers' strike called off after negotiations offer a breakthrough

A two-day strike by Co-op drivers over plans to transfer 87 Coventry-based drivers to haulier Eddie Stobart was averted at the eleventh hour following a breakthough in negotiations.

The union Unite said it will now be recommending its members accept an offer that was made after two days of bargaining at the conciliation service Acas.

The 48-hour strike by more than 700 drivers across the UK had been due to start at midnight on Sunday but was put on hold after talks at Acas continued.

Drivers will now be voting on a package of proposals to settle the dispute.

The transfer of the Coventry Co-op drivers to Eddie Stobart is set to go ahead as part of the deal.

In a statement, Acas said: “After intensive talks, Acas has helped the Co-op and Unite to reach agreement on a set of revised proposals, which Unite the union will now fully recommend to their members.

“The proposals include improvements for employees at the Coventry depot and longer-term assurances across the wider Co-op network.

“In recognition of this Unite the union has agreed to suspend any industrial action until the outcome of the ballot.

“Acas are pleased that the talks have been held in a constructive manner and collaborative spirit.”

The ballot results will be made known after the Easter holiday.

Unite national officer for retail distribution Adrian Jones said: “We are now confident that our members have a secure future with the Co-op and that our concerns about the future of in-house transport have been fully addressed.

“Our members have been given a firm commitment for their future in line with the business’ five-year plan.

“Our members at Coventry, who will be transferring to Eddie Stobart, have been given extra assurances that provide confidence for their own futures outside of the Co-op.”

Andy Perry, director of logistics at the Co-op, said: “We are very pleased with the progress that has been made following talks and await the outcome of Unite’s ballot to its members about the new proposals.

“We have reiterated that we have no plans to outsource any other part of our network and have tabled assurances regarding protecting terms and conditions.”

Sounds to me as if a few palms have been greased?