There may be strike action to come at the nations Tesco stores, after the Trade union Mandate have warned the company that they will ballot their 14,000 strong workforce on industrial action if continue with plans to introduce cuts to workers’ pay.
The news comes as the supermarket chain say they plan to move almost 1,000 long-serving staff to new contracts beginning in April. According to the Assistant general secretary of Mandate Gerry Light, a nationwide strike is a real possibility.
Mr Light told reporters: “It’s becoming more real and I think it’s become more serious.” “I think we’ve a couple of barriers to cross before we get there. “Again, it’s an indication, I think, of the changing face of industrial relations within Tesco, I think it’s becoming more adversarial the way they’re approaching industrial relations.
“I think [on] the whole notion of a strike threat, the company now have to make a decision. And it’s entirely their decision.”