Drinkers could face a beer shortage if employees behind 40% of Britain’s booze deliveries go on strike.
Drivers and warehouse staff at XPO Logistics Drinks are considering taking action over pay and Covid measures.
Around 1,000 workers at 26 sites received a 1.4% wage rise offer, which the Unite union branded as “paltry”.
It is now balloting for strike action.
In the last year, staff have missed out on £10,000 in pay due to furlough and a lack of overtime.
Trade journal the Morning Advertiser reported the union is asking for a 3.9% increase in line with inflation.
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Unite’s Joe Clarke said staff had faced “great financial hardship”.
He added: “We call upon the company to engage in meaningful negotiations.”
Unite also accused the firm of putting staff at risk after halting “Covid-secure cleaning processes”.
A spokesman for XPO said: “We remain open for further conversations to seek agreement in a sector that is starting to come out of lockdown’s impact.”
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