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Dispute over arbitration claim
Page 14
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Chris Tindall reports on a union row that seems to have sprung from nowhere.
THE TRANSPORT & General Workers Union says drivers for WM Morrison will strike if supermarket bosses insist on imposing binding arbitration to settle disputes and withdraw recognition of the union.
General-secretary Tony Woodley is urging senior shop stewards to resolve the situation through "negotiation and dialogue" before it spirals out of control.
However, drivers say morale is at an all-time low at the Wakefield and Northwich distribution centres. According to the T&G. Morrisons has invited other trade unions to "bid" for its membership on the understanding that there is a no-strike clause written into any agreement. This led the T&G to ballot members to find out if they would strike if push came to shove.
The T&G says: -The result was favourable for that, if necessary The company underestimated the strength of feeling of our members." The union hopes to resolve the dispute without industrial action.
But a statement from the supermarketsays:"There is absolutelyno question of Morrisons withdrawing from a recognition agreement.The T&G served us with three months' notice on our recognition agreement. We remain pti771ed as to why they should have wanted to end a voluntary agreement that has always included collective bargaining and binding arbitration."
The two parties were due to meet yesterday (14 July) for "high-level" talks.