‘Coca-Cola shortages’ warning as West Yorkshire workers set to strike over pay

A union has warned of potential “Coca-Cola shortages” as its members in West Yorkshire are set to strike next month in a dispute over pay.

Around 40 Unite members at Lockwood Haulage Ltd, based in Knottingley and South Kirkby, will undertake all-out strike action next month.

The Unite members are forklift truck drivers and machine operators in Lockwood’s glass division and will walk out from September 2.

Unite has warned the strike could have a major impact on Lockwood customer Ardagh Glass and the household names it supplies, including Coca-Cola, Budweiser, Stella and Heineken, potentially leading to a shortage of supplies of these products.

Ardagh also produces whisky bottles for brands including Jameson, J&B and Johnnie Walker, as well as wine bottles, according to Unite.

It comes after workers rejected a “miserly” 1% pay increase applied across all grades and allowances, backdated to March 1, 2025, the union claimed.

Unite added that Lockwood has said it will introduce an attendance-based bonus scheme - rather than pay increases - equal to £250 per quarter if certain attendance criteria are met.

Workers believe the move would leave them financially worse off, Unite said.

The workers previously worked for GXO before being transferred to Lockwood in March 2025 under a TUPE agreement, and have not had a pay rise since October 2023, according to Unite.

The workers operate on a four-days-on, four-days-off pattern, with their salary including weekend working, shift allowances and bank holiday pay.

Unite said it has attended multiple meetings in an attempt to reach an agreement, but Lockwood has failed to resolve the issue.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham called the move an “absolute insult” and a “kick in the teeth”.

“The fact that workers have not had a pay rise in nearly three years is an absolute insult and to be now offered a measly one per cent is a further kick in the teeth,” she said.

"Moving away from yearly increases to a bonus scheme is simply another way to shortchange our members at Lockwood. Unite will not allow this unacceptable attack on pay and our members have our full support in their industrial action."

Workers at the Knottingley site previously went on strike in July 2025 in a bid to gain Unite recognition after being transferred from GXO, where the union had recognition.

Unite members won the dispute and the union is now formally recognised for collective bargaining at Lockwood.

Unite regional officer Jessica Sangha said: “Any strike action is completely the fault of Lockwood management, who have insulted our members with this paltry pay offer.

“Industrial action can be avoided, but that relies on Lockwood coming back with improvements to the pay offer which our members will find acceptable.”

Lockwood and Coca-Cola have been approached for comment.