Yorkshire Strike Threatens UK Supplies of Coca-Cola and Whisky
A pay dispute at Lockwood Haulage Ltd in Yorkshire has sparked an industrial action that could lead to shortages of Coca-Cola, beer, whisky, and wine across the UK.
The strike, set to begin on September 2, affects employees who have not received a pay rise since October 2023. They were transferred from GXO to Lockwood in March 2025 under a TUPE agreement.
Unite members are rejecting a one per cent pay offer, which is backdated to March 1, 2025. The company proposed replacing a salary increase with an attendance-based bonus scheme that would pay £250 per quarter.
According to Unite, workers believe the bonus scheme would leave them financially worse off.