In a bid to reassure its drivers, the Co-operative Food group has written to the 1,000 staff that are planned to be moved to the business' national distribution centre in Coventry to Eddie Stobart Limited (ESL).

The writing has come as a response to the notification that the Co-op received from Unite that it would be balloting against its decision to move its drivers to ESL haulage, reports Logistics Manager.

Co-op hopes that its intentions for its drivers will now be more clear and will give its drivers a feeling of job security.

Part of the Co-op's believed intentions include outsourcing its primary operations at Castlewood, which will see deliveries from suppliers into Co-op depots, rather than into its stores.

Director of logistics at The Co-operative Food Andy Parry said: "We believe it is important that colleagues are clear about our future intentions. There are no plans to outsource either the other areas of transport operated by the Co-op or any of our warehouse functions."

Mr Parry also commented that he hopes to engage with the relevant trade unions "to allay their concerns and support our colleagues through this process".