DHL Supply Chain staff to strike over pay

DHL

DHL distribution staff who are members of trade union GMB are to strike on Monday 28 November 2016 in a dispute over pay.

Union members at Spectrum for Arcadia, a division of DHL Supply Chain, have voted to walk out of the Birmingham-based depot on so-called Cyber Monday, a day when retailers offer online deals.

Further action is also being planned in the run up to Christmas.

GMB members are seeking to be paid the voluntary living wage, which is set at £8.45 an hour. Currently, the majority of staff are paid the national living wage rate of £7.20 an hour.

The voluntary living wage is an independently reviewed rate, which is calculated according to the basic cost of living.

A series of pay talks, including industry body Acas, have failed to bring the dispute to an end.

Arcadia supplies brands such as Topshop, Miss Selfridge and Burton Menswear, with the distribution centre in Birmingham supplying online purchases.

David Warwick, organiser at GMB, said: “It’s a disgrace that Sir Phillip Green who holds the purse strings on this DHL contract and has enriched himself on the backs of these loyal [employees] is refusing to put a sensible offer on the table.”

A spokesperson at DHL Supply Chain said: “We are disappointed that the GMB has announced its intention to hold industrial action. We believe our offer to be reasonable in the current economic climate.

“Detailed contingency plans are in place and we are confident that there will be no disruption to service. We urge the GMB to return to the negotiating table to meet with us to resolve this matter at the earliest opportunity.”

Arcadia had not responded to a request for comment at the time of publication.