Tesco stores across UK face ‘empty shelves’ as distribution workers ballot for strike

More than 3,000 Tesco warehouse workers and HGV drivers are being balloted for strike action over pay, Unite, the UK’s leading union, said today.

The workers have rejected a four per cent pay rise, which is considerably below the 5.1 per cent given to store staff. They have voted overwhelmingly in a consultative ballot in favour of strike action.

Tesco reported adjusted operating profits of £3.2 billion for 2025/26 and forecasts an adjusted operating profit of between £3 billion and £3.3 billion for 2026/27.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Tesco is making massive profits and paying out millions in shareholder dividends and executive pay while their own workers are left to struggle with a baked in cost-of-living crisis.

“If the bosses at Tesco won’t give their warehouse workers and HGV drivers a fair piece of the pie, they could soon start to see empty shelves in their shops across the country. Unite will be backing these workers 100 per cent.”

Strike action would involve around 700 Didcot workers, 400 Belfast workers, 600 Doncaster workers and 1,400 Thurrock workers - severely impacting distribution to Tesco stores across the UK.

The ballot for strike action closes on 17 August.

Unite national officer for road transport and logistics, Adrian Jones, said: “There is still time for industrial action to be avoided but that will require Tesco making an acceptable offer.”

ENDS