A strike threat for next week, which could have disrupted a major supermarket in the run-up to Christmas, has been delayed.

The union representing drivers serving a distribution centre for Sainsbury's in Dartford had planned to start three months of strike action on Friday, December 6.

It revolves around a dispute over pay and redundancy packages.

But DHL Supply Chain drivers and the union Unite have agreed to delay the action to allow talks to continue at the conciliation service Acas.

The HGV drivers, who deliver to Sainsbury’s stores across parts of London and the south east, will delay action as talks continue next week.

Unite members overwhelmingly voted (97.4 per cent) in favour of strike action that is scheduled to take place on a number of dates over the next three months.

The union warns strikes will begin on Friday, December 13, if talks fail.

Unite regional officer Phil Silkstone said: “Following two days of productive pay negotiations under the auspices of Acas, both sides have agreed that talks will continue next week, specifically December 3 and 4.

"As these further negotiations are planned, Unite has agreed to cancel the industrial action that was planned to take place on Friday, December 6.”

The strike dates still scheduled by Unite are: December 13,19, 20, 21, 22, 23; January 3,10,17, 24, 31; and February 13,14,15.

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