It was on the initiative of Unite, which represents the 180 drivers, that Acas has been asked to broker the talks with the drivers’ new employer, Eddie Stobart (ESL).
The talks will be held in Sheffield to settle the dispute which could see the drivers losing their jobs by Christmas.
Unite regional officer, Harriet Eisner said: “Unite took the initiative to call in Acas to help get both parties back round the table to resolve the dispute. Unite will be entering these talks at Acas in a positive and constructive frame of mind.”
The origins of the dispute go back to August when the transport workforce was transferred from Tesco to ESL and then on 5 September ESL issued notice of termination of employment, with no promise that the drivers will be re-employed once the 90 days are up, according to Unite.
So far, there have been five days of strike action and a demonstration outside the Tesco Express store in Westminster to raise the profile of the dispute with MPs and opinion formers. The Doncaster public has shown great support for the drivers.
Unite believes that there is no need for ESL to get rid of these drivers and does not believe that the firm has the capacity in its existing network to properly service the Tesco distribution centre at Doncaster (UK).
Source: Unite
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