Furious Sainsbury’s staff may strike over “union-busting tactics” at an East Kilbride distribution depot.

The supermarket giant has been branded “shameful” by Unite members working for DHL Services Limited at Langland Park depot.

It comes after a decision by the shop was made to transfer workers to the cleaning and facilities management NIC Group, which fails to recognise trade unions.

The workers have also been informed by the NIC Group, pending the transfer, that they will receive no wage rise this year despite the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.

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It comes as Sainsbury’s is expected to make close to £690 million in pre-tax profit when its full-year results are announced this month, despite ongoing inflationary pressures.

Now Unite is warning Sainsbury’s that it faces ‘significant reputational damage’ and the East Kilbride dispute risks spreading to other UK depots if the transfer goes ahead.

The ballot on industrial action opens on March 22 and closes on April 6.

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Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary, said: “The decision by Sainsbury’s to transfer unionised workers in East Kilbride to the NIC Group, who fail to recognise collective bargaining rights, is shameful.

“In effect, Sainsbury’s, in this instance, is involving the good name of the company in anti-trade union practices. Simple as that.

“The company must know that Unite has to oppose this.

“Time to think again or this dispute could spread across the UK.”

 

Willie Thomson, Unite industrial officer, added: “The way Sainsbury's has discarded the workers in East Kilbride is disgraceful. It’s a slap in the face from Sainsbury’s.

“Many of our members have given long service through the DHL contract.

“Now they face seeing hard-won terms and conditions being ripped up.

“Rest assured that this dispute will cause Sainsbury’s significant reputational damage because Unite is determined to hold them to account for their decision to transfer the cleaning contract to the NIC Group.”

A Sainsbury’s spokesperson said: “We are aware of the situation involving DHL colleagues and would encourage both sides to keep talking.”