WORKERS at supermarket Morrisons’ distribution depot in Aylesford, near Maidstone, have voted to take strike action after a year-long dispute with the company.

Following Morrisons buy out of the former Safeway chain in 2004, staff have grown increasingly angry at the lack of consultation over changes made by the new owners.

Complaints of poor management and operational problems have dogged Morrisons distribution network for the last year and workers say the problems are heightened by fears over job security. None of Morrisons nationwide distribution workers have been guranteed work after March 2006.

Led by workers union the GMB workers at the Aylesford depot are expected to join colleagues in Warrington and Scotland in carrying out strike action after an overwhelming yes vote on Wednesday.

Paul Kenny, acting general secretary of the GMB, said the ballot result in Kent was part of a "gathering storm" in the distribution network of Morrisons.

He added: "GMB members have been dictated to and they have no promises of job security as the depots are 'rationalised'. I have words of warning for supermarket bosses - GMB members will not tolerate your bullying any longer."

A Morrisons’ spokesman said that it had not had any direct contact with the trade union. He did not anticipate any disruption to supermarket supplies if ithe threatened ndustrial action went ahead.

"We have a robust distribution system and our first major concern would be ensuring our stores were stocked with products and our customers were unaffected," he said.

The Aylesford depot employs around 1,000 staff. It is not known how many workers may take action.