Thousands of Wilko staff have voted to strike after the company tried to force staff to work weekends. 

Around 1,600 GMB members at two Wilko distribution centres – in Magor, Wales and Worksop, Nottinghamshire – will walk out following the vote.

Dates of the strike are yet to be confirmed.

Wilko workers to strike over 'brutal' weekend rota https://t.co/ev5v3edVLv

— BBC News England (@BBCEngland) September 4, 2019

The industrial action is expected to cripple Wilko deliveries to stores across the UK.

Nicola Savage, GMB Organiser, said: 

“More than 84% of votes were cast for strike action. It's clear how angry workers are about this brutal new rota system. 

“Wilko prides itself on being a family run company – but they’re imposing contracts that will force staff to work on the weekends, splitting up family time, without the agreement of their employees. 

Thousands of Wilko staff at 2 distribution centres have voted to strike in a row over new rotas - @GMB_union

— Alan Jones (@AlanJonesPA) September 4, 2019

“It’s clear now that those values don’t extend outside the Wilkinson family.

“We’ve tried to negotiate with management again and again – but they don’t want to know. Our members feel backed into a corner, and strike action is the only option left open to them.”