Families warned there could be turkey shortages in major supermarkets this Christmas

Families could face a shortage of turkey this Christmas after delivery drivers at a major logistics firm announced strike action.

Unite Union said around 40 drivers at Culina will protest after the company failed to offer them any pay rise this year. Culina has a contract with Avara Foods Hereford, who deliver chicken and turkey from abattoirs to warehouses belonging to Tesco and Marks & Spencer.

The union group warned “residents in the West Midlands could see empty tables this Christmas” as a result of the industrial action. Drivers will strike on 19 and 20 December, which is when most supermarkets get their fresh turkeys in store.

Unite warned more dates could be announced if the company does not make an improved pay offer. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "Culina should be ashamed it is acting as a Scrooge employer. Our members deserve a pay rise this year and Culina need to realise that this isn't just any strike – this is a Unite strike. And our members will have the full backing of their union in this dispute."

Unite regional officer Jason Richards added: "Our members do a skilled and vital job ensuring food gets from A to B on time. But they are not being valued by their employer who has refused to offer any pay increase whatsoever. This Scrooge-like behaviour is unacceptable and will see our members head to the picket line later this month."

A spokesperson for Avara said: "We understand that discussions between Culina and Unite are ongoing and we hope they will reach a mutually agreeable solution. We expect to meet our Christmas commitments for turkey in full."

In more disruption news, Unite has also warned of travel chaos for people in Manchester after around 200 bus workers employed by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) confirmed they will stage strikes shortly before Christmas over pay.

The four days of strike action will begin on December 12 and will continue until midnight on December 15. There will be a further strike from December 20 until December 23. Strike action is set to further escalate unless an agreement is reached.

The staff going on strike include ticketing, passenger assistance and information services across the Greater Manchester transport network. Unite regional officer Howard Percival said: “The strike action will cause serious disruption across public transport throughout Greater Manchester but TfGM has brought this dispute on themselves through its poverty pay rates.

“It is in TfGM’s hands to resolve this dispute it needs to return to the negotiating table with a realistic offer that addresses low pay for all the affected workers.”

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