A major delivery company is facing the prospect of significant disruption this festive season as thousands of its UK workers prepare for potential strike action.
The Ballot and Pay Dispute
Approximately 2,000 workers at UPS began voting on strike action this week. The ballot, which is being conducted by the Unite union, opened recently and will remain active until December 3.
The threat of a walkout stems from an unresolved pay dispute. Unite has stated that staff rejected a proposed pay increase of 2.8 per cent for 2025, followed by a 3.2 per cent rise for 2026. The union has also made a serious allegation, claiming that a previous £100 lump-sum offer for employees on the minimum wage was withdrawn to help fund the 2026 pay deal.
Union Accusations and Worker Struggles
Unite has further accused UPS management of attempting to influence the democratic process by putting up posters that urged staff not to vote for industrial action. According to reports, around a quarter of the company's UK workforce is paid the minimum wage.
Unite's general secretary, Sharon Graham, strongly criticised the company's position. She stated, “This dispute is a clear case of a rich employer putting profits before people. It is shameful that workers at a company that turns over billions have been offered such a miserly pay deal and have been left struggling to get by.”
The union argues that the offered pay rises are insufficient as they fall below the current Retail Price Index (RPI) rate of inflation, which sits at approximately 4.3 per cent. While the Consumer Price Index (CPI) is more commonly used for pay settlements, unions often reference the typically higher RPI figure during negotiations to argue for larger increases for their members.
Potential Impact on Christmas Deliveries
If workers vote in favour of industrial action, a strike could begin in mid-December, directly impacting the critical pre-Christmas delivery peak. This timing spells potential chaos for the logistics network during its busiest period.
The disruption could have a far-reaching effect on consumers, as UPS serves as the courier for several high-profile brands, including Apple, Amazon, Dell, and Louis Vuitton. With operations in over 220 countries, any industrial action in the UK would be a significant event for the global delivery giant and its millions of users.
