The Belfast staff are among more than 3,000 Tesco logistics workers across the UK being balloted after rejecting a 4% pay offer, newsletter.co.uk informs. Unite said employees had overwhelmingly supported industrial action in an earlier consultative vote.
The union argues that the proposed increase is below the 5.1% pay rise awarded to Tesco store employees.
Belfast depot supplies stores across Northern Ireland
Workers at the Belfast distribution centre handle deliveries to Tesco stores throughout Northern Ireland, meaning any walkout could affect product availability across the region.
The wider dispute also covers approximately 700 employees in Didcot, 600 in Doncaster and 1,400 in Thurrock. Industrial action across all four locations could significantly disrupt Tesco’s distribution network.
The ballot is due to close on 17 August.
Union warns of empty shelves
Unite has linked its pay demands to Tesco’s financial performance. The retailer reported adjusted operating profit of £3.2 billion for the 2025/26 financial year and expects to generate between £3 billion and £3.3 billion in the current year.
Tesco is making massive profits and paying out millions in shareholder dividends and executive pay while their own workers are left to struggle with a baked in cost-of-living crisis,” said Unite general secretary Sharon Graham.
She warned that stores across the UK could begin to see empty shelves unless the company offered warehouse workers and HGV drivers a larger increase.
Unite national officer for road transport and logistics Adrian Jones said there was still time to prevent industrial action, but added that this would depend on Tesco making an acceptable offer.
Tesco says contingency plans are in place
Tesco described its proposal as a fair, above-inflation pay award and said it remained focused on reaching an agreement.
The retailer also said it had contingency plans in place to prevent any impact on product availability.
The outcome of the ballot will determine whether the dispute moves towards formal strike action, with the Belfast operation likely to be closely watched because of its role in supplying stores across Northern Ireland.
