Tesco shoppers could face empty shelves ahead of Christmas amid strikes

By Q Radio News

Tesco stores in Northern Ireland face empty shelves ahead of Christmas, after workers voted to stage a series of strikes in a dispute over pay.

The Unite union says more than a thousand warehouse workers and drivers at distribution centres across the UK will take part in the run up to Christmas.

Tesco says it has contingency plans in place to help mitigate the impact of the strikes.

Tesco shoppers could face empty shelves ahead of Christmas amid strikes.https://t.co/FBK4tmFRwg

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) December 6, 2021

The strike is a result of Tesco only being prepared to offer the workers a 4% pay increase, which Unite says is well below the current retail price index (RPI) inflation rate of 6%.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said:

“Our members have gone above and beyond the call of duty to keep Tesco’s shelves filled throughout the pandemic. 

"Tesco’s profits in 2021 are forecast to be between £2.5 and £2.6 billion so surely the UK and Ireland’s largest and wealthiest retailer should be making our members a decent pay offer."

The workers confirmed that they will begin their all-out strike action at 7am on Thursday 16th December and will be joined by workers at depots in Didcot and Doncaster.

(Tesco generic photo)