Derbyshire-based M&S drivers to walk out in pay row with DHL

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TRUCK drivers working out of a depot in Derbyshire are set to strike in a dispute over pay.

Members of the United Road Transport Union (URTU) who work out of the DHL Supply Chain depot, in Forbes Close, Long Eaton, have voted "overwhelmingly" in favour of taking action.

Drivers involved in the dispute are working on a contract delivering goods for Marks & Spencer, which has a large distribution hub at Castle Donington.

It is understood a ballot on strike action was held after talks over pay and conditions between the union and management, mediated by ACAS, broke down. The union said that the result of that ballot showed that the majority of workers favoured a strike to force an improved pay offer from DHL.

The union said that industrial action would start on Friday, December 18, and continue until Christmas Eve – but it said it was still committed to reaching a settlement.

DHL, which has a large freight hub at East Midlands Airport, also operates a network of smaller distribution sites across the UK, carrying out contracts on behalf of a number of major retailers.

In a statement, DHL Supply Chain said that it was "confident" that the industrial action would not have an impact on deliveries for Marks & Spencer in the run up to Christmas. The firm added: "We are disappointed that drivers at Long Eaton have rejected our pay offer."