Losing patience with Usdaw

Below we publish extracts from an article sent to us by a driver at the Sainsbury depot (operated by Wincanton) in Sherburn-in-Elmet, north Yorks.

It details why 150 drivers have joined Unite after demanding that Usdaw leads a fight to improve conditions on site, but instead had several reps removed by Usdaw.

This also comes in the aftermath of the inspiring dispute against Tesco and Eddie Stobart in Doncaster, where Unite members forced some concessions out of the companies after being made redundant.

In less than four weeks, over 150 union members in the transport have freely and without any influence from Unite, chosen to cancel their membership with Usdaw and transfer to Unite.

Concerns included ballot fixing allegations, union reps being removed for spurious reasons, and a union rep being appointed without a ballot. There was an 80-signature vote of no confidence in Usdaw.

Usdaw gave away the right to strike in return for recognition before the site opened five years ago. They also gave away the drivers' right to choose whether to opt out of the 10-hour night work limit.

In response, Usdaw have turned to the company for help, they have produced joint statements with the company threatening their members and former members stating that the company will not recognise any other union.

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