distribution

A second strike in the dispute at the Tesco distribution depot at Livingston near Edinburgh over changes to job contracts and union representation has been suspended after management offered to open talks with the T&G section of Unite - the union.

The Transport and General Workers' Union (T&G) say 150 drivers are to join the 24-hour strike next Tuesday. Tesco have strongly denied claims that drivers based in Livingston had been threatened with job losses if they did not sign a new contract. A Tesco spokesman has accused the union of "following their own agenda".

Tony Trench, T&G section of Unite regional industrial organiser, said in spite of the 'Fort Wapping' style security clampdown it was clear all was not well.

The 150 Tesco drivers - who supply nearly 100 stores in Scotland - are on strike against the company's seeking to derecognise the drivers' union (UNITE), a move the union says would have cost many drivers £3,000 or more per year. The drivers voted 126 to 6 for strike action from Thursday 24th to Saturday 26th May.

The whole crew, around 80 people, both immigrant and natives - in solidarity stopped their work after successive acts of discrimination by the management.

The factors that provoked the widespread stoppage of work by thousands of British workers in the winter of 1978-79 began with the Labour government of James Callaghan's attempt to enforce limits on pay rises to curb inflation. Inflation had reached a height of nearly 26.9% in August 1975.

The workers are formally emplyed by DHL, but any pay increases have to be first authorised by Iceland according to the T&G union. The depot, which employs 250 warehouse operatives and 115 drivers supplies food to 180 Iceland stores in London, the South East and East Anglia. The T&G expects the strike to affect stocks in Iceland stores during the run up to Christmas.

The strike, which began after workers walked out in solidarity over the sacking of a cleaner for P&O, began late yesterday afternoon. They have blockaded most of the port.

A spokesperson for P&O Ferries has said that the Calais port has partially reopened after 12 port workers agreed to operate berths, and that two ships have set sail for the UK.

A short report from a DHL workers demonstration in Brussels, with information about developments and struggles at DHL and at Brussels airport.