Tesco stores may have serious stocking problems. Warehouse workers at eight locations have rejected an offer of a pay rise of less than 5%.
The Usdaw union has already launched a ballot among its members to see if they are prepared to take strike action.
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Possible strike at Tesco. Warehouse workers unhappy with earnings
Warehouse workers rejected the company's offer of a pay raise of between 2% and 4.4%, depending on the contract, along with additional benefits.
Strike voting will take place from 9 to 24 September at Tesco locations in Hinckley, Magor, Southampton, Daventry Clothing, Goole, Lichfield, Livingston and Peterborough.
Mark Todd, Usdaw national officer, said: "The company has made it clear that at this stage it does not intend to reopen negotiations or make an improved offer. This means that a ballot is now necessary to assess the willingness of our members to take strike action."
"Usdaw members have made it clear that the company's offer is not an acceptable pay increase. We are disappointed that an agreement has not been reached and we now have no choice but to proceed to a vote."
“Usdaw remains open to a constructive resolution to the dispute and we urge the company to return to the negotiating table,” it added.
A Tesco spokesman told Retail Gazette: "We have made a fair pay offer to our colleagues working in our warehouses and continue to work with Usdaw."
“In recent years, we have made significant investments in the compensation and benefits of our distribution employees, increasing salaries by 23% over the last three years,” he added.
