Unite challenges XPO logistics over pay crisis

Unite, the UK’s largest union, is calling on XPO Logistics to get its house in order after workers have suffered over two months of ‘pay lottery’ misery, which has resulted in workers on occasion not being paid at all.

Problems began when XPO changed its payroll provider. Initially the company described the pay failures as isolated ‘teething problems’. However Unite now understands the problem is affecting much of XPO’s UK workforce.

The company operates warehouses and logistics for many high profile clients including Marks and Spencer’s, B&Q and Iceland.

Workers have experienced both under and overpayment, with some workers not being paid at all. The problems also do not seem to be consistent and workers have been left totally confused about how and when they will be paid correctly.

The constant uncertainty about payment is also affecting morale and productivity at some XPO Logistics sites. Problems have been exacerbated in the high-handed and unsympathetic manner that XPO has sought to take money from workers it had overpaid.

Unite national officer for logistics and warehouse workers Matt Draper, said: “It is clear that XPO Logistics has got to get its house in order. XPO has tried to downplay these severe pay problems as teething problems but this is a far greater problem, which has been ongoing for months.

“Unite members are fed up playing a perverse lottery every single week where they don’t know what they will be paid until they receive their pay packet and then have to battle to have their pay paid correctly.

“XPO has then poured oil on already troubled waters by the heavy handed manner in which it has sought to claw back money from workers who it has overpaid.

“The company needs to come round the table with Unite, explain how it will resolve these problems and also how it will restore morale and confidence that has been demolished by its own incompetence.”