Three days of industrial action begins next week
GMB & TGWU union members working at Morrisons distribution depots will take strike action on September 23, 24 and 25, pending the completion of the legal requirement to notify the retailer of the action. There will be a further six days of strike action after September 29.

The GMB estimates that distribution depots affected by the votes supply about 60 per cent of Morrison's 350 supermarkets in the UK and some BP garage forecourt shops.

The announcement followed separate ballots this week in which members of the two unions voted for action over threatened closures and job losses concerning three distribution centres at Aylesford, Bristol and Warrington. The mooted closures follow an operational review by the supermarket chain.

GMB acting general-secretary Paul Kenny said: 'GMB calls on Morrisons to respond to us within the next 48 hours and bring us some positive proposals before attitudes harden.'

Commenting on the news, analyst Numis said: 'The obvious casualty will be deliveries of fresh produce, which are key drivers of footfall. Clearly, with the sector being so competitive anyway, this comes at a bad time for Morrison's and it is by no means certain that this three day strike will be the end of it.'

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