Sainsbury’s Waltham Point warehouse staff set for second strike

Sainsbury’s warehouse staff at Waltham Point are set to go on strike for the second time later this month following a dispute over an attendance scheme.

Staff at the ‘Big Four’ grocer’s distribution centre in Essex will take part in a second round of 24-hour strike action on Thursday, 25 July 2019, according to a statement from trade union Usdaw.

The dispute relates to changes to the attendance policy which are being unilaterally implemented by the company.

It is the second time a 24-hour strike is set to take place at the centre after more than 100 workers took action on the 27 June, it is unclear whether a similar number will take action this time round.

Nigel Scully, Usdaw divisional officer, said: “Usdaw is frustrated and disappointed that the company are still not prepared to discuss the key issues we cannot agree on and have been unable to come up with an acceptable offer regarding the attendance scheme on site.

“Individuals do get ill and/or injured and need to be in a position where they can recover without having to worry whether they will be getting paid. The company’s changes mean that our members, including many who have given significant years’ service, could quickly end up without any sick pay, meaning that financial worries are likely to be added to any other issues they are going through.”

He added: “This industrial action is a last resort following many meetings where we have tried to work with the company to find an agreement. We continue to call on the company to enter serious negotiations and ensure that our members have adequate sick pay provisions in line with other staff across the Sainsbury’s estate including our retail members.”

A Sainsbury’s spokesperson said: “We have contingencies in place to minimise any disruption this may cause our customers.”