Strike combats milk rota changes

Around 70 HGV drivers and shunters at Mullers’ Stonehouse factory in Gloucestershire took 11 days strike action in October over changes to their rotas. The employer is seeking to impose a change to a five days on, two days off rota system that will require all drivers to work at least one day every weekend. The change, Unite union members argue, is a breach of an agreement the company signed with them earlier this year.

The workers are responsible for delivering milk and other dairy products to M&S and Waitrose nationwide and so their strikes will be disruptive to these large supermarkets. Sainsbury's and Tesco, which also receive deliveries from the Stonehouse plant, may also experience shortages.

Unite regional officer Amy Roberts said: “Muller needs to abide by the agreement it signed and drop these rota changes, which will negatively impact our members’ quality of life.”