'Could soon start to see empty shelves': Northren Ireland Tesco supplies face disruption as 400 Belfast workers ballot for strike
Warehouse workers and HGV drivers who distribute goods across Northern Ireland are among more than 3,000 UK staff considering industrial action after rejecting a 4% pay offer
More than 3,000 Tesco warehouse workers and HGV drivers, including around 400 based at the retailer's Belfast distribution centre, are being balloted for strike action in a dispute over pay.
The Belfast workforce, which supplies Tesco stores across Northern Ireland, is among staff who have overwhelmingly backed industrial action in a consultative ballot after rejecting a 4% pay offer. Unite said the increase falls well short of the 5.1% rise awarded to Tesco store staff.
The dispute comes as Tesco reported adjusted operating profits of £3.2 billion for 2025/26 and forecast profits of between £3 billion and £3.3 billion for the current financial year.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Tesco is making massive profits and paying out millions in shareholder dividends and executive pay while their own workers are left to struggle with a baked in cost-of-living crisis.
“If the bosses at Tesco won’t give their warehouse workers and HGV drivers a fair piece of the pie, they could soon start to see empty shelves in their shops across the country. Unite will be backing these workers 100%.”
Strike action would involve around 700 Didcot workers, 400 Belfast workers, 600 Doncaster workers and 1,400 Thurrock workers - severely impacting distribution to Tesco stores across the UK.
The ballot for strike action closes on 17 August.
Unite national officer for road transport and logistics, Adrian Jones, said: “There is still time for industrial action to be avoided but that will require Tesco making an acceptable offer.”
A Tesco spokesperson added: "We have made a fair offer which would see colleagues receive an above-inflation pay award. We remain focused on reaching an agreement, and have well-established contingency plans to ensure there are no issues with availability.”