Yodel couriers have voted to strike over pay and working conditions, in a move which could impact the supply chains of Marks & Spencer, Aldi, and Argos.

A huge majority - 98 per cent – of the workers surveyed, with an 84 per cent turnout, were in favour of the strike according to Yodel.

Marks & Spencer, Aldi, Argos, and Very all receive deliveries from Yodel’s depots in Hatfield in Hertforshire, Glasgow and Wednesbury in the West Midlands.
Officials at trade union GMB are set to meet with workers next week to discuss dates for the strike.

Issues highlighted by Yodel drivers include a lack of work-life balance and higher pay for agency workers than direct employees.

Other issues included an alleged lack of pay-outs in lieu of annual leave and allegations that the delivery firm failed to honour contractual agreements regarding holiday and sick pay.

The news comes as the ongoing HGV shortage is already heavily impacting the business of UK supermarkets; Ocado announced earlier this week that it is set to spend £5 million in 2021 on mitigating the impacts of the HGV shortage.

M&S has also recently announced that it will scale back its French operations as result of supply chain issues.

Earlier this month, the government announced it will cut down the HGV driver testing process in a bid to tackle the 100,000-driver shortage.


“With acute labour shortages across a range of sectors the time for working people to organise and take action to improve their lot is right now,” said Nadine Houghton, a national officer for the GMB.

“We are in ongoing, meaningful talks with GMB officials, with a further meeting scheduled for next week,” said a Yodel spokesperson. “We will continue to work in good faith and remain committed to finding a resolution for our valued transport colleagues on any outstanding matters.”

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