Lorry driver strikes could stall new car deliveries

Darren Staples | Newscom | RTR

Stobart Automotive transporter drivers are considering taking industrial action, which could result in a national shortage of new cars.

The company delivers cars for a wide variety of manufacturers including Jaguar  Land Rover and Volkswagen Group.

Unite trade union has warned that Stobart Automotive needs to make progress in talks tomorrow to prevent workers from striking.

Unite says that 85% of employees have voted in favour of industrial action with a 70% turnout, after drivers from other areas of the Stobart business were, the union says, brought in to undercut wages.

According to Unite's national officer, Adrian Jones:

“We have given the company a number of opportunities to avoid a strike. The drivers feel that without progress on Friday, they have no choice but to announce industrial action in order to protect their livelihoods.”

The union also claims that Stobart has refused to commit to future investment in the business since it took over from Autologic in 2012, and has failed to put a pay offer on the table for 2014.
 
“Despite record car sales, Stobart Automotive is refusing to make a pay offer while it undermines our long-standing agreements by bringing in drivers on lower terms and conditions. If a strike goes ahead it will cause major disruption to the delivery of new cars to showrooms across the country. We urge the haulier to take this opportunity to make progress towards resolving this dispute.”

Other Stobart Automotive clients include BMW, General Motors, Mazda, Toyota, Renault, Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Nissan, Dacia, Mitsubishi, Chevrolet and Chrysler.

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By Andrew Brady, contributor, MSN Cars