More than 250 Yodel lorry drivers delivering to the likes of Marks and Spencer, Aldi and Very, among others, have voted to strike over pay and conditions.
According to trade union GMB, 98% of drivers voted to take industrial action based on an 84% turnout.
Nadine Houghton, GMB national officer, said, “GMB drivers working for parcel delivery giant Yodel have returned a massive vote in favor of taking industrial action over pay and working conditions.
“With acute labor shortages across a range of sectors, the time for working people to organize and take action to improve their lot is right now. GMB members working for Yodel will immediately be agreeing dates for their first round of strikes, and with the majority of Yodel’s drivers voting to walk out, parcel deliveries will be significantly hit.
“We urge any drivers not yet organized into a union to follow the example set by Yodel’s drivers – join the GMB, get organized and fight for what you’re worth.”
Going into the vote, Yodel’s LGV1 drivers had said they were angry over pay and working conditions, specifically their work life balance; how agency workers are paid more than employed drivers; and an accumulation of outstanding annual leave payments.
Drivers also felt that there had been a failure to offer substantial pay enhancements to stem the tide of drivers leaving the business for better paid jobs elsewhere.
Commenting at the time of the original ballot announcement, a Yodel spokesperson had said, “We are disappointed by the GMB’s ballot plans having been proactive in conversations with the union for a number of weeks. We will continue to work with our union colleagues in good faith and are committed to further discussions to resolve any remaining matters.”