A strike on a Jammie Dodgers biscuits picket line was temporarily suspended today amid hopes of a "significantly improved offer" from a logistics giant.
A series of eight 24-hour strike actions started in Croxteth on December 19 in a row over pay and union claims of "victimisation of workers and the complete collapse of industrial relations."
Relations between Unite and DHL have plummeted at their delivery centre in Croxteth where a tense stand-off has developed amid disputed claims of the company repeatedly calling out police to the picket line for invented reasons.
But now union Unite has called off their planned January 13 walk-out as a glimmer of hope emerged for a resolution.
Employees on the Burton Biscuits and AB World Foods delivery contract - which includes the brands Wagon Wheels, Jammie Dodgers, the Patak curry range and the Blue Dragon Chinese food range - will go back to work for the time being.
Unite said the strike on Portal Way in Croxteth had been suspended as an act of "good faith" as the company indicated it was prepared to make "a significantly improved offer."
Acas talks will take place next Tuesday, but if there is not a satisfactory resolution then the strikes planned for January 14 and 15 will go ahead, the union said,
The dispute involving 120 Unite members centres on low pay, with warehouse operatives paid two and half pence above the minimum wage when the rate is increased to £8.91 in April 2021.
Another argument is over the "systematic victimisation of workers, which has resulted in the complete collapse of industrial relations," Unite said.
Regional officer Kenny Rowe said today: “Unite has suspended its strike action in good faith to maximise the chances of securing an agreed settlement at Acas next week.
“However if DHL do not deliver on their promise of a meaningful improved offer, on what is a highly lucrative contract, then there will be fresh strike action next week.
“DHL must recognise that the conduct of its local management, which was a key factor in the dispute in the first place, is making the prospect of a settlement more difficult.
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“Unite members strongly object to the lies and untruths that DHL’s local management has been spreading. This must stop immediately if further strike action is to be avoided.”
A spokesperson for DHL Supply Chain has said: “We recognise the union’s right to protest, but as our number one priority is the safety of our colleagues and the general public, we ask that this be done safely and peacefully.
"We would also ask that social distancing measures are observed at all times.
"Our contingency plans are working and our door remains open for further dialogue to reach a mutually acceptable conclusion for all parties as soon as possible.”
DHL has refuted the allegations of victimisation, adding that the company had presented "a number of different options" to Unite that it believed were "very reasonable".
But Unite has described the offer on the table from DHL as a "poverty pay rate."
