Morrisons Shoppers Warned Of Empty Shelves As HGV Drivers Vote On Strike Action..

Morrissons in Stockton On Tees could be one of the sites set to be effected.

Stockton Depot Named In Morrisons Strike Ballot Dispute...

18th May 2026

Morrisons customers across the north of England could face disruption after nearly 500 HGV drivers who supply the supermarket chain began voting on whether to take strike action.

The drivers, who are employed by logistics firm Eddie Stobart, work from Morrisons distribution depots in Wakefield, Stockton-on-Tees and Northwich in Cheshire. According to Unite the union, & are responsible for delivering all types of groceries to Morrisons stores across the region.

The dispute centres on allegations that Eddie Stobart is increasingly using agency drivers in a way Unite the Union claims is undermining the pay, terms and conditions of directly employed staff.

Unite says around 40% of drivers at the Stockton and Northwich sites are now agency workers. The union claims that, rather than replacing drivers who leave with new directly employed staff, Eddie Stobart is gradually replacing parts of the workforce with people on more insecure contracts and reduced employment terms.

The ballot is due to run until 4 June 2026. If drivers vote in favour of industrial action, Unite has warned that Morrisons stores across the north of England could be hit by empty shelves.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham criticised the company’s approach, saying Eddie Stobart was creating what she described as a “race-to-the-bottom” on employment standards.

She said the workers had Unite’s “absolute backing”.

Unite also claims that temporary workers are being excluded from the collective bargaining rights enjoyed by permanent staff. The union further says Eddie Stobart has confirmed that, even if it hires new directly employed drivers in future, they would be placed on inferior terms and conditions.

Unite regional officer Neil Howells said there was still time to avoid strike action, but said that would require Eddie Stobart to reach what the union considers a fair agreement.

The dispute could prove particularly significant for Teesside shoppers, with Stockton-on-Tees named as one of the affected depot locations.

At this stage, no strike dates have been announced. The immediate issue is whether the drivers vote in favour of industrial action when the ballot closes next month.