Unite members at Superdrug’s national distribution centre set to
strike indefinitely as Christmas rush begins
3rd November 2009
WHEN: 5.30am, Wednesday, 4th November 2009
WHERE: Picket line will be at Superdrug’s National Distribution
Centre, Stadium Way, South Elmsall, Pontefract, West Yorkshire, WF9
2XR.
High street retail giant Superdrug could see popular product
lines hit in the run up to Christmas as hundreds of Unite the union
members working at the company's national distribution centre in
West Yorkshire take indefinite strike action from 5.30am tomorrow
(Wednesday, 4th November).
The 261 workers are striking in a row over fundamental changes
to their terms and conditions.
Unite says its members are angry at the company's sweeping
attack on their terms and conditions including changes to shift
pay, which would reduce some pay packets by over £2,000 per year,
and planned reductions to overtime payments and sickness
entitlement.
Superdrug is also seeking powers to allow it to change shifts or
schedule short or long shifts at only seven days' notice, placing
workers at the company's beck and call and hitting family life.
Superdrug also wants the workforce to opt out of the 48 hour
European Working Time Directive, a health and safety measure which
was brought in to prevent employers from pressurising workers into
doing excessive hours.
The strike at this distribution centre will see delivery of
cosmetics, medication and other popular consumer products, such as
perfume and aftershave, hit in the run up to the peak Christmas
shopping period at 300 Superdrug's stores nationwide.
Unite regional officer, John Evans, said: “This is an outrageous
attack on the terms and conditions of Superdrug's long standing
employees. These workers have people who depend on them, they
provide for their families so they cannot accept proposals that
would pick their pockets and place them at the beck and call of the
company. It is little wonder that the workers are angry at
this attack and determined to fight to protect their pay and
conditions.
“Superdrug seems determined to make low-waged workers pay for
its profits, but we will fight these changes.
“We are urging Superdrug to pull back from imposing these
damaging changes and get back to the table to resolve this
dispute."
Unite members voted 86 percent in favour of all out strike
action, underlining the resolute mood of the workforce.
Superdrug is owned by Chinese venture capitalists, A.S.
Watson.
ENDS
For further information contact John Evans on 07721 585545 or
Ashraf Choudhury in the Unite Press Office on 020 7420 8914 or
07980 224761
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