TESCO’S HOME delivery service drivers in Dundee say they are being banned from taking sandwiches or refreshments with them or stopping for a break on long and tiring journeys.

Drivers working for the tesco.com grocery home delivery service are up in arms and claim they can go up to six hours without a break—often more if they are on overtime.

They say it is dangerous and unhealthy, especially during a 10 or 14-hour shift.

There are around 12 drivers working from the Kingsway base who claim they are not allowed to take “personal items” with them on journeys—that includes food and drink.

“You are working four, five, six hours without a break—up to seven if you’re on overtime—and you’re not allowed to take sandwiches, rolls or juice with you,” said one driver.

“It’s physical work. You are carrying an average 14 kg of shopping up stairs without a break.

“We are going four or five hours without a break or any nourishment. You’re not allowed to stop anywhere for a roll or a sandwich.

“If there’s an accident or a breakdown what do you do? You don’t have anything to eat or drink. When you do ask for a break you’re told you’re not entitled to one.

“If you’re driving for four hours, you should have at least a 15-minute break.”

The driver said the ruling about taking food or drink on journeys had only just come to light after management stopped one employee going into his cab with a “piece bag.”

Drivers say the ban has affected morale at the Kingsway West outlet.

“We’re not allowed to take personal items with us—we can only carry enough cash to make a phone call if we lose a signal—but all we want is to be allowed to take sandwiches, rolls and juice with us,” said one driver.

A Tesco spokesperson said last night, “In agreement with the union drivers can work for up to six hours without a break.

“However, the way that routes and times are scheduled it is very rare that any of our drivers will be out for more than four hours. Drivers must return to the store for their breaks where they can take advantage of the canteen subsidy.

“For their own safety we cannot allow drivers to eat whilst they are out making deliveries, but they can certainly take a drink with them.”