Unite said its 180 driver members would be considering their options for the coming weeks and that further industrial action was on the cards.
Unite regional officer, Harriet Eisner, said: “Our members had put great faith in today’s talks and that their new employer, Eddie Stobart Ltd (ESL) would be putting a fair offer on the table. They are very disappointed and extremely angry that this was not the case.
“Unite believes that there is no need for Stobart’s to get rid of these drivers. We don’t believe that the firm has the capacity in its existing network to properly service the Tesco distribution centre in Doncaster.
“Stobart’s would have to recruit new drivers on worse terms and conditions to run the operation, once they have sacked our members.
“Our members will be considering their options for the coming weeks and further industrial action is very much on the cards, unless the company comes back with an improved offer.”
The Tesco drivers took two days of strike action last week – with great support from the Doncaster public – after ESL issued 90-days’ notice of termination of employment.
In August, 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.
Source: Unite
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