DELIVERY giant Yodel faces a summer of strikes that could bring its entire network to a standstill, the GMB union warned today.

The company, owned by the billionaire Barclay brothers, has imposed “unworkable” driver schedules and “robbed” drivers of annual leave by reneging on long-standing agreements, the union said.

Against the backdrop of a huge driver shortage, the GMB accused Yodel of offering agency drivers enhancements not given to directly employed workers and said that its members were demanding to be balloted for action.

National officer Nadine Horton said: “GMB has repeatedly tried to get Yodel to understand the strength of feeling from our driver members around these issues. 

“GMB’s driver members are resolute and will continue the fight until Yodel sees sense.” 

Accusing the company of “an act of corporate self-sabotage,” Ms Horton added: “Our members have the power to bring their whole distribution network to a standstill during one of their busiest times, yet Yodel carries on regardless. 

“GMB will not allow Yodel to rob our hard-working members of annual leave, to impose unfair schedules, to breach collective agreements and to treat agency drivers better than their own loyal staff.”