Unite members in South West settle dispute with pay deal

Warehouse workers for Sainsburys supermarket are celebrating a new, bumper three-year pay win after securing a deal that will beat inflation.

GXO warehouse workers will get a 6.25 per cent pay award in year one and then inflation plus one per cent in years two and three. Their overtime rate will also increases from a flat rate to 1.1 and 1.2 multiples over the course of the deal.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "This shows the power of a union and that Unite puts money in the pockets of our members. GXO workers at Sainsburys will now see inflation beating pay increases as well as better paid overtime. This is a great example of what happens when workers band together and are prepared to fight for better pay."

Nearly 300 workers based at Emerald Park warehouse in Emersons Green in Bristol will benefit from the improved terms and conditions. They had begun to take steps towards industrial action after the employer had previously failed to offer a satisfactory pay deal. Following the involvement of Unite officers and reps, GXO came back to the table with an improved offer that was then balloted on and accepted by the workforce.

Unite regional officer Shevaun Hunt said: "This is a great win for GXO workers in the South West. They do a tough and tiring job all hours of the day and night. Such a positive result would not have been possible without the strength and support shown by the members and reps and is no more than they deserve."