Dozens of tanker drivers in Merseyside have secured a "bumper" 17.5% pay rise, it's been announced.
The 24 tanker drivers employed by Turners (Soham) Ltd, on the Cargill contract in Liverpool have secured the rise in all elements of their pay for the year starting April 2021, which will be backdated.
Union Unite today announced the drivers, who deliver bulk liquid food products to food manufacturers across the UK, will also receive a 4.55% increase for paid meal breaks.
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Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This is an excellent result for our driver members on the Cargill contract in Liverpool. It demonstrates what can be achieved when workers are organised in Unite and take a stand.
“But fair play to Turners, the employers, they changed their minds and made a dramatically-improved new offer. That is an example to the rest of the haulage industry about how to go about offering decent wages.”
“Lorry drivers have had to endure low pay and poor conditions for far too long. Unite is dedicated to putting the jobs, pay and conditions of its members first.”
The news comes as the UK's HGV driver shortage continues to cause widespread disruption across the country, with new fears over empty Christmas stockings following on from empty petrol pumps and empty supermarket shelves.
Unite regional officer Steve Gerrard said: “Our members were determined that they would no longer sit back and take the crumbs that were on offer. They made it clear that as essential key workers, who worked throughout the pandemic, they wanted a slice of the cake. They now have that slice with the cherry on top.
“Lorry drivers are the central cog in the machine of the economy, and deserve to be treated better than they have been in recent years.”
Turners has been contacted for a comment.
