Tesco drivers strike in Doncaster, 9-10 October 2012, photo by Alistair Tice

Tesco drivers strike in Doncaster, 9-10 October 2012, photo by Alistair Tice   (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)

Tesco drivers strike in Doncaster against shameful treatment

Nearly 200 Tesco drivers in Doncaster were transferred over to Eddie Stobart’s Logistics (ESL) firm in August and immediately lost their pension scheme and other benefits.

That is bad enough, but within one month of the transfer the drivers were all given three months notice, with no promise that they will be re-employed once the 90 days is up.

Some of these workers have been driving for Tesco for twenty years but have been shown none of the loyalty that they gave to their employer.

Tesco is the most profitable supermarket in Britain and made £3.8 billion profit last year. Its highest paid executive was paid over £1.6 million.

After the drivers voted by 91.7% to 8.3% for strike action they have gone on a 48-hour strike, which started at 12.05 am on Tuesday 9th October, and there is a picket outside the distribution depot for the full 48 hours.

Tesco drivers strike in Doncaster, 9-10 October 2012, photo by Alistair Tice

Tesco drivers strike in Doncaster, 9-10 October 2012, photo by Alistair Tice   (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)

Unite, their union, fully supports the strike and has provided a mobile canteen for its duration.

The pickets are in a very angry but hopeful mood; there were a lot of drivers beeping in support as they passed the site.

The strike will be well supported by the residents of Doncaster, a once proud industrial town. The local Tesco shops will be leafleted throughout the strike and I’m sure will see many local shoppers refusing to go in.

This is just one more example of the naked greed of the capitalist bosses who show no respect to nor regard for the workers who actually create their profits.

The 200 drivers who are being treated so shamefully deserve better but the system that is built on the exploitation of workers will continue to grind us down until we make a stand.

The national TUC march on 20th October in London needs to be a launch pad for a 24-hour general strike to get rid of this hated government.

Mary Jackson
Tesco drivers strike in Doncaster, 9-10 October 2012, photo by Alistair Tice

Tesco drivers strike in Doncaster, 9-10 October 2012, photo by Alistair Tice   (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)

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