Unite union to meet with Sainsbury bosses over pay row

The dispute stems from the supermarket’s plan to increase pay to £9.20 an hour for workers at Sainsbury’s 1,400 stores from September. The normal current rate is £8.00 an hour.

However, Unite claims the rise is being funded by cuts to pay elsewhere, including the loss of overtime, Sunday premium pay and breaks, and the "unethical" removal of medical severance for sick workers.

It added that salaries would not go up until until 2020.

Unite said it was taking legal steps to protect its 11,000 members who have been told to sign the new contracts by 23 September or face the sack.

Unite national food industry officer Joe Clarke said that while the new contracts may be an improvement for a large number of employees, many of the longest serving and older staff may be worse off.

“Many of our members have lodged individual grievances about their pay and conditions under the new contract which have now been rolled into a collective grievance and will be the subject of Wednesday’s talks," he said.

“Sainsbury’s has taken a much harder line than its retail rival Asda which has applied its new contract so individuals, who do not wish to sign it, can stay on their existing terms without the draconian threat of the sack."

“Sainsbury's is looking to impose this ‘sack or sign’ contract which, in essence, is 'robbing Peter to pay Paul'."