Tesco is facing potential strikes across its distribution network after warehouse workers at eight of its sites rejected a less than 5% pay offer.
Trade union Usdaw has launched a consultative ballot for its members to vote on if they are prepared to take industrial action.
It comes as the distribution employees overwhelmingly rejected the supermarket’s pay offer of between 2% plus £500 and 4.4%, depending on contract, along with some additional enhancements.
The consultative ballot will run from 9 to 24 September across Tesco’s Hinckley, Magor, Southampton, Daventry Clothing, Goole, Lichfield, Livingston and Peterborough sites.
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Usdaw national officer Mark Todd said: “Following the overwhelming rejection of Tesco’s final offer, the company has made it clear that they do not intend to reconvene negotiations or make an improved offer at this stage.
“That means it is now necessary to carry out a consultative ballot, to assess our members’ level of willingness to carry out industrial action.
“Usdaw members have spoken and made their opinion clear, that the company’s offer is not an acceptable pay increase. We are disappointed not to reach an agreed settlement and now have no choice but to move to a consultative ballot.
“Usdaw remains open to resolving the dispute constructively and we urge the company to get back around the negotiating table.
A spokesperson for Tesco told Retail Gazette said: “We have made a fair pay offer to colleagues working at our distribution sites, which is equivalent to double the current rate of CPI inflation, and we continue to engage with Usdaw.
“In recent years we have made substantial investments in pay and benefits for our distribution colleagues, with pay increasing by 23% over the past three years.”
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