Over 100 DHL lorry drivers and warehouse employees protested outside the London headquarters of Sainsbury’s on Wednesday 1 June. They demanded that the supermarket asks DHL to change its newly proposed shift policy.
As part of a consolidation programme, DHL is moving its Sainsbury's-dedicated hubs in Allington, Kent, and Charlton into a newer Dartford site.
Under the shake-up, employees will only get three weekends off out of 12 five-day shifts. Previously, staff could always get off at least one-day each weekend.
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A spokesman for trade union Unite confirmed that there are approximately 500 DHL staff affected by the changes, but this number is likely to decrease as the move to Dartford takes place. He claims DHL has insisted employees accept the changes or take redundancy.
Paul Davies, Unite's National Officer for Logistics, says: "Sainsbury's high profile 'feed your family' campaign encourages its customers to eat as a family, but when we urged the supermarket to intervene to protect drivers and warehouse workers at its depot from this devastating attack on their family lives, we were ignored."
The Unite spokesman exclusively reveals: "We are not ruling out a ballot for industrial action."
A DHL spokeswoman says: "Detailed discussions have been held with colleagues transferring to the Dartford depot and their union representatives. Widely adopted across the industry, the company is confident that these shift patterns will ensure an improved level of service both for Sainsbury’s and its customers.”
A Sainsbury’s spokesperson said: “We work to have a fair and open workplace for all colleagues. As part of a move to consolidate warehousing and transport facilities, DHL, our warehousing and logistics provider, has held detailed discussions with colleagues and their representatives regarding shift pattern changes. These changes reflect the terms already in place for colleagues at Dartford and across our network and the industry. They are industry best practice, meet the volume requirements of the business and will ensure to offer our customers the best possible service."
“Last year we were the first major food retailer to be awarded gold accreditation from ‘Investors in People’ for our commitment to improving our business by investing in our colleagues.”
