Morrisons warehouse workers accept new pensions, pay and conditions

Hundreds of Morrisons’ warehouse and logistics employees based in Cheshire and Yorkshire have accepted new terms related to their pensions, pay and working conditions, from 1 July.

The workers, who are members of trade union Unite, will see a 9% increase on all rates of pay including weekend incentive premiums and freezer allowance, while existing additional anti-social hours shift pay will be maintained. The supermarket has also confirmed staff will contribute the same amount as presently towards their pension, rather than going ahead with proposed changes that would have reduced employer contributions, while raising employees’.

Other improved benefits include a new service award scheme, which will pay up to £350 for long-service milestones, while Morrisons will also conduct reviews of pick rates and job roles, with full union involvement.

Last month, the workers took part in three days of strike action, claiming they would lose £500 each through the employer’s plan to reduce its pension contributions to employees, while expecting them to contribute more. Additional issues around pay and conditions were also part of the dispute.

A Morrisons spokesperson said: “We are pleased that through open communication with Unite we have together found a way forward.”

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Sharon Graham, general secretary at Unite, added: “This is a great win for our members at Morrisons and shows the real power of a union in the workplace. I’m delighted they have achieved their goals and that the supermarket has seen sense and come up with an acceptable outcome.”

Adrian Jones, national officer at Unite, said: “Our members took to the picket line and were prepared to disrupt supplies to Morrisons’ stores to make their anger felt. They stood strong and have won an important workplace victory including improved pay and conditions as well as protecting their pension contributions. Instead of being hundreds of pounds out of pocket, they are thousands of pounds up.”