Major brands face possibility of food shortages as Bestfood workers threaten strike action

The workers, who deliver fresh food to businesses including PizzaExpress, KFC, Zizzi, Burger King, Wagamama and Pizza Hut, turned down a 6% increase, which the union says would amount to a real terms pay cut this year and into next.

GMB says that some of the biggest brands in the restaurant and fast food space now face severe disruption to their food deliveries this Christmas. 

A total of 93% of GMB members rejected the offer, with 85 per cent indicating they wanted to be balloted formally for industrial action.

Dates for the strike ballot will be announced in the coming days. 

“These workers bust a gut to deliver fresh, just in time food to some of the biggest names in the business,” says GMB national officer Nadine Houghton. 

“Bestfood’s parent companies Booker and Tesco are making incredibly healthy profits and paying large dividends, while leaving these workers crushed by cost of living.” 

“Now some of their biggest clients may well be left short this Christmas because they won’t meet GMB’s reasonable request for a pay deal that protects our members through this year and into next with a genuine cost of living increase."