Aldi is giving a 9% pay rise to hourly paid warehouse workers from this September, the second boost to their pay packets this year.
The discounter said about 4,200 workers in its regional distribution centres across the UK would be receiving the increase. The move follows a pay rise across Aldi’s logistics network, which came into effect in February following the company’s annual pay review.
The majority of distribution centre roles are warehouse selectors, who will receive a minimum rate of £12.66 an hour.
All logistics staff working outside normal operating hours will also see their night premium payments increase from 20% to 25% of their normal hourly rate.
“This announcement recognises the amazing contribution our logistics colleagues make in serving communities across the country,” said Giles Hurley, Aldi UK & Ireland CEO.
“We’re also pleased to be able to increase the night premium we pay to our many colleagues who work so hard to keep our stores well-stocked. Their outstanding efforts help ensure that our customers continue to have access to fresh affordable food, every single day,” he added.
The supermarket has invested around £50m in pay this year. In July, Aldi announced new minimum hourly pay rates for store staff – higher than those offered by any other supermarket in the UK – which benefits 26,000 store workers.
Aldi currently on a recruitment drive across its 11 regional distribution centres, with 1,000 new roles to be created over the next 12 months to supply its growing estate.
Its hiring spree comes amid a labour shortage in warehousing and logistics, with the UK Warehousing Association reporting some warehousing businesses were reporting vacancy rates of more than 20%. A May report by Logistics UK found 12.2% of logistics businesses expected “severe” issues in recruiting warehouse workers.
In contrast to Aldi’s approach, Amazon has – according to the union – advised union GMB they “will not increase pay at any site in the UK” following continuing strike action by warehouse workers.
Workers at multiple Amazon sites are seeking a £2 per hour pay rise “to better match the demands of the role and cope with the cost of living crisis”.
Amazon told The Grocer that starting pay for all full-time, part-time, seasonal, and temporary roles in the UK will be increasing to a minimum of between £10.50 and £11.45 per hour, depending on location. Its spokesperson pointed out that the starting salary was above the national minimum wage and the real living wage, and was higher than the starting salary at Tesco and Sainsbury’s.
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