Sainsbury’s has been accused of double standards over its Feed Your Family campaign in a row over workers’ rights.

More than 100 DHL staff are expected to stage a protest outside Sainsbury’s London HQ this morning over changes to shift patterns.

Sainsbury's has an exclusive contract with DHL for its warehouse and delivery services. But DHL has imposed new working times that mean out of 12 five-day shifts, many workers will only get three weekends off.

Trade union Unite claimed that change would “destroy” family life for those affected and has urging Sainsbury’s to protect DHL workers from an “unprecedented attack on their family lives”. Among the protestors will be a family eating lunch, Unite said.

“Sainsbury's high-profile Feed Your Family campaign encourages its customers to eat as a family,” said Unite national officer Paul Davies.

“But when we urged the supermarket to intervene to protect warehouse workers at its depot from this devastating attack on their family lives, we were ignored.”

A spokesman for Sainsbury's responded: “We work to have a fair and open workplace for all colleagues. As part of a move to consolidate warehousing and transport facilities, DHL, our warehousing and logistics provider, has held detailed discussions with colleagues and their representatives regarding shift pattern changes.

"These changes reflect the terms already in place for colleagues at Dartford and across our network and the industry. They are industry best practice, meet the volume requirements of the business and will ensure to offer our customers the best possible service."

He added: “Last year we were the first major food retailer to be awarded gold accreditation from ‘Investors in People’ for our commitment to improving our business by investing in our colleagues.”

Read more
Sainsbury’s unveils part two of Feed Your Family for £50 (25 May 2011)
Sainsbury’s: £50 to feed your family for a week (4 May 2011)

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