Strike threat to Christmas parcels

Union members at UPS Parcels voted overwhelmingly to strike. They accuse the company of "unreasonable workloads and alleged bullying".

91% of the 120 drivers and loaders at the Camden depot - the biggest UPS depot in Europe – voted strike action.

A meeting next week between management and the union have been described as "last ditch negotiations".

Unitereps in depots in Barking, Croydon, Dartford and Feltham have asked for the union to ballot members on the same issues, while the RMT union, which also has members at UPS, is also balloting its members for industrial action.

Uniteregional officer Onay Kasab said: "Our members have sent a message, loud and clear, to the company that we will take strike action, if our members’ legitimate grievances are not addressed.

"The company’s action in suspending our rep is a clear case of victimisation. This is the true face of UPS parcels - forget the smiley faces in the adverts.

"Profits come first. If that is achieved by bullying and stopping our members having a decent work-life balance with their families, then that is clearly a price that UPS thinks is worth paying. We will not stand by and allow our members to be treated in this appalling way.

"During the ballot period, UPS used every trick in the book to try and get our members to vote ‘no’ to a strike. This included threats of dismissal, but threats combined with bribes, such as breakfasts on selected mornings when the employer wanted to put its propaganda across, didn’t work – they still voted overwhelmingly for strike action.

"Strike action will take place before the end of November, unless the company reaches a fair and equitable settlement."