Jason Richards the Unions regional officer sharply criticisesCulinas refusal to offer fair wages.
HGV Driver
72% of drivers in the United Kingdom are planning for a strike due to low pay
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Unite the Union has given a cautionary warning about the impending strike. This strike is expected to take place on the 19th and 20th of December. This HGV driver strikes points at a large-scale disruption that may target supermarkets such as Tesco and Marks & Spencer. These companies source their poultry products from Avara Foods that may face inventory runouts on poultry products during holidays like Christmas and New Years Eve.
What is the Fundamental Logic for this?
There has been a long-standing dispute since April 2024 going on in the matter of wage negotiation between the Culina logistics firm and its 40 employed drivers. This number has now increased to a staggering 72% of logistic drivers within the UK. As per a new study, these drivers intend to go on strike because of low wages.
Jason Richards the Unions regional officer sharply criticisesCulinas refusal to offer fair wages. He calls it a ‘disregard' for the vital services drivers provide. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham criticises Culina in a shameful light. Calling their approach towards the issue a scrooge employer.
The strike that is set to happen is just one indication of an enormous issue regarding the supply and demand of drivers. A poll by the logistics software company Samsara found that the workers who were surveyed were unhappy with their pay working hours or other aspects.
Experts View on This Matter
Gary Bernardout Head of HGVC responded saying “This is a time-sensitive issue that is affecting drivers availability across the country. This is not a mere local problem but a national dilemma that needs to be addressed as soon as possible.”
Philip van der Wilt, an industry expert, believes the sector is at a crossroads. The failure to address this pay issue means the industry could lose essential human resources.
Bernardout agreed with Philip. “The strike should serve as a wake-up call, he stated. Drivers are essential to the logistics industry. We run the risk of escalating a supply-chain catastrophe if their expectations are not satisfied particularly over the holidays.”
The Potential Solutions
Gary Bernardout stressed the need for fair pay strategies. He continued Raising wages will help expand the driver pool. It will reduce turnover of experienced drivers. He emphasised “Wages are one of the problems while working conditions, hours and appreciation deserve no less. What we require is an overall strategy. The aim is to restore the interest in HGV driving.”
Bernardout praised recent changes to the Driver CPC system. The new National Driver CPC N-DCPC includes 35-hour sessions. It also incorporates elearning making it more accessible.
These changes help liberalise the market Bernardout said. However without proper incentives the shortage remains.
Community Efforts Required to Address Crisis
With the strike date nearing Bernardout urged important market players to join hands. “To eradicate this crisis the situation looks for a cooperation of businesses, unions and policymakers.” he comments.
In order to stabilise the sector the following remain mandatory - increase of wages, changes of working conditions, recognition of the occupation of drivers he summed up.
The planned strike pointed out a lot of stabilising issues that have plagued the logistics domain. If no remedial measures are taken then supply chain disruptions can occur more frequently impacting businesses and consumers alike. The time to act is now.
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