Booker HGV drivers suspend strike planned for 23-24 December

The strike planned for 23-24 December by 45 delivery drivers at Booker’s Thamesmead site has been suspended until 31 January.

The two-day strike could have hit deliveries to 1,500 convenience stores in London and the south east – Booker Retail Partners’ customers include Budgens, Londis, Premier and One Stop retailers, as well as many petrol stations.

Unite the union said that the action has been put on hold so that a review into pay, previously reneged on by the management, could now go ahead.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The Booker management has seen sense and an in-depth review of pay will now happen in January that will take into account the recent pay rises across the sector.

“Of course, we wait to see what happens now. Unite remains dedicated to advancing the jobs, pay and conditions of all its HGV driver members, including those at Booker.”

Unite regional officer Paul Travers added: “The review, which was part of the pay deal agreed in October, means we have suspended the strike action this week until 31 January to enable it to take place in a constructive spirit.”

Tel: Booker (01933) 371000