CRISP lovers are being warned to brace themselves for a possible summer shortage after Walkers delivery drivers voted for strike action.

Eddie Stobart lorry drivers working for Walkers, based at the depot on Leacroft Road in Birchwood, are set to walk out on strikes beginning next weekend.

And Unite has warned that supermarkets, pubs and corner shops in the north west could be facing a ‘crisp famine’ over the next few weeks.

The union has so far announced two periods of strikes for its members – the first running from Friday, May 31, and running until Tuesday, June 4.

A second walkout will then be held between Friday, June 7, and Tuesday, June 11.

Warrington Guardian:

The Walkers Crisps depot on Leacroft Road in Birchwood - picture by Google Maps

Overtime bans will also be in place on May 30, June 5, June 6 and June 12.

Unite has accused Eddie Stobart of ‘refusing to engage’ in talks after 100 per cent of members voted for strike action in a ballot with a 95.2 per cent turnout.

The dispute arose last year when workers’ employment was transferred from Walkers to Stobart under new regulations.

But the latter’s management have ‘refused to honour existing industrial agreements to protect workers’ pay and conditions’.

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Unite regional officer Steve Gerrard, said: “The north west of England is facing a crisp famine, directly as a result of the high-handed actions of Eddie Stobart’s management.

“Eddie Stobart is refusing to honour the long-standing legal industrial agreements that protect our members pay and conditions.

“Workers aren’t going to stand idly by and allow their hard-won rights to be demolished.

“Unite has made numerous attempts to engage with Eddie Stobart to resolve this dispute and has been continually rebuffed.

“This strike is entirely of Stobart’s own making, and they can resolve the dispute by agreeing to meaningful negotiations with Unite.”

But Walkers Crisps denied that there would be any issues in shelves being stocked with its products.

A spokesman said: “We are not facing a supply issue, our customers will continue to receive their orders as planned.”

Eddie Stobart have been approached for comment.