Two unions have balloted members over action regarding the future of three of Morrisons' distribution centres. The GMB claimed yesterday that it had obtained internal documents revealing plans to shut the company's distribution centres at Aylesford, Bristol and Warrington.
Such a move could result in the loss of about 2,500 jobs.
The retailer and union have entered into a war of words over Morrisons' operational review following its acquisition of Safeway. The GMB has accused the retailer of deliberately misleading it over the review, while Morrisons says it has kept staff fully informed of its plans.
If the strike goes ahead, it would be the first national stoppage of distribution workers to hit a UK supermarket. The GMB warned that the company's shelves could be 'empty within days'.
This latest crisis will pile pressure on Sir Ken Morrison and chief executive Bob Stott, with speculation growing that the company's non-executive board is looking to bring Stott's planned departure in 2007 forward.
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