Lorry strike could hit supermarkets

DELIVERIES to supermarkets in the weeks leading up to Christmas could be hit by an indefinite strike by lorry drivers.

About half a million drivers belonging to five trade unions are planning to stop work at 21.30 on December 13 to protest over pay.

They are planning to block access to supermarket and hypermarket depots to prevent food getting on to the shelves in time for the Christmas and New Year celebrations. Auchan and Carrefour are likely to be the most targeted.

The head of the CGT-Transport union, Richard Jaubert, said no decision had been taken yet about whether to block access to fuel depots as well.

According to the unions, lorry driver salaries have not risen in two years - €1,300 gross per month for new recruits.

They want at least €10 an hour, a 13th month of pay each year and standard health cover for all.

Commerce minister Hervé Novelli said disrupting shops' distribution networks so close to Christmas was "intolerable" in the current economic climate.