New Year beer shortage looms as ‘stressed’ delivery workers threaten to strike over pay

DRINKERS could face an unwelcome Dry January as beer delivery workers threaten to strike over pay.

Union chiefs claim draymen, who transport booze to 20,000 pubs, clubs and restaurants, have suffered shortfalls in wages and overtime.

The 1,700 employees at GXO Logistics have allegedly been affected for nine months after a new payroll system was adopted.

Union bosses say the staff, responsible for 40 per cent of Heineken, Carlsberg, Carling and Coors deliveries, are stressed and struggling to pay bills.

Some 99 per cent of Unite members backed a full vote for industrial action next month in a consultative ballot.

General secretary Sharon Graham said: “It is completely unacceptable.

“The payroll system brought in by GXO is a complete mess that has caused great anxiety as wages are either short and/or not paid on time. GXO bosses need to get this sorted out quickly.

“A ballot for strike action could lead to deliveries being severely disrupted in 2022.”

A walk-out by GXO draymen in August was called off after they were offered a four per cent pay rise.

Unite’s Joe Clarke said: “The depth of anger about being short-changed was reflected in the ballot. It is time to end this chaos.”

Thousands of Tesco workers nearly took action this month over pay, which would have severely disrupted Christmas alcohol supplies.

GXO was contacted for comment.