A trade union has temporarily suspended strike action at Tesco distribution centres ahead of Christmas subject to members voting on improved pay offers.
Usdaw said it has secured a new and ‘much improved’ pay offer from the supermarket chain and will be balloting its members in nine distribution sites, including Livingston.
The industrial action planned for the week before Christmas Eve has been suspended pending the ballot result.
The two ballots involve more than 5,000 Usdaw members, employed as drivers and warehouse workers at nine Tesco distribution centres.
Earlier in the month, Tesco said it was confident it could keep the shelves fully stocked and “fulfil our plans”, despite the action by the Unite and Usdaw unions.
Members voted in favour of industrial action at its distribution centres after it rejected an annual 4% pay rise.
The union said this was “well below” the current Retail Price Index (RPI) inflation rate of 6%. The current Consumer Prices Index (CPI) is 4.2%.
Joanne McGuinness, Usdaw national officer, said: “After the overwhelming vote in favour of industrial action, Tesco reopened pay negotiations with Usdaw.
“I am pleased to say that we have been successful in achieving a significantly improved offer and Usdaw is recommending that members accept it in the ballot.
“Full details of the offer will be shared from noon on Wednesday, when the ballot opens. Having reached this improved offer, we have withdrawn notice of strike action."
A Tesco spokesperson said: "We're pleased to have agreed a pay deal with Usdaw that it recommends to its members.
"Colleagues at these centres will no longer be taking industrial action - we look forward to delivering a fantastic Christmas for customers."
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