Unite the union has chalked up another pay victory in its nationwide campaign to ensure that the UK’s HGV lorry drivers receive substantial pay rises and improved conditions when they are on road.

This time 39 XPO drivers working on the Wavin contract in Chippenham, Wiltshire have received a 20 per cent increase in a one-year deal starting this month.

This news follows hard on the heels of tanker drivers employed by Turners (Soham) Ltd on the Cargill contract in Liverpool securing a bumper 17.5 per cent pay deal and there has been an up to 23 per cent pay increase for drivers employed by GXO, formally XPO Primary Logistics, at sites across the UK. 

Also, about 1,000 HGV drivers employed by the Co-op on its delivery contract will receive a five per cent pay increase backdated to February and a further five per cent increase payable from 1 November 2021.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This latest pay victory for the XPO drivers at Chippenham, along with other inflation-busting deals, shows that Unite’s nationwide campaign for decent pay and conditions for our HGV drivers is winning.

“After years of employers dragging their feet and continued government complacency union victories are forging real change across the industry.”

Unite regional officer Tony Hulbert said: “Our members, who deliver supply plastic moulded piping and drainage to building merchants, have been underpaid for many years and this pay increase proves that fact. Now, at Chippenham, standing together they have fought and won a significant pay increase – and not before time.”

Unite is lending its support to the Take a Break campaign on Monday (1 November) by HGV drivers for safety, decency and dignity to be restored.

The link can be accessed via  https://www.unitetheunion.org/news-events/news/2021/october/unite-backs-hgv-drivers-to-take-a-break-in-bid-to-restore-safety-decency-and-dignity-to-job/

Unite is dedicated to advancing the jobs, pay and conditions of its members and will fight back against any efforts to diminish workers' living standards.

ENDS 

Notes to editors:

For more information please contact Unite senior communications officer Shaun Noble on 020 3371 2060 or 07768 693940. Unite press office is on:  020 3371 2065.

Please note the numbers above are for journalists’ enquiries only.

Email: shaun.noble@unitetheunion.org

Twitter: @unitetheunion Facebook: unitetheunion1 Web: unitetheunion.org 

Unite is the leading union in the UK and Ireland, dedicated to defending and improving members' jobs, pay and conditions. The general secretary is Sharon Graham.