Tesco workers to be balloted over long-service staff

Trade unions at Tesco are to ballot amembers in the retail giant for industrial action over what they say is the refusal by the company to give pay increases to 1,000 of its long-serving staff, as well as imposing inferior contracts on the same workers.

Mandate and Siptu said a Labour Court recommendation in February recommended all staff receive a 2% pay increase as well as a 1.5% share bonus scheme payment.

However, the unions said Tesco has now said that not only will staff on pre-1996 contracts not receive the pay increase but, according to Mandate, “will instead be forced to take pay cuts of at least 15% from the April 18”.