The union claimed that as well as excluding temporary workers from the collective bargaining rights permanent staff are entitled to, the company had said if it did hire any new directly employed drivers in the future, they would also be on inferior terms and conditions.
Unite said the drivers, who are responsible for delivering groceries to Morrisons stores, were being balloted until 4 June.
Regional officer Neil Howells said: “Morrisons will be extremely angry that it is facing empty shelves because Eddie Stobart is union-busting.
“There is still time to avoid strikes, but that will require Eddie Stobart reaching a fair agreement with Unite.”
A Culina Group spokesperson said it had been “involved in ongoing constructive consultations with Unite about the best way to deliver a long-term approach to driver recruitment and retention amid the present national driver shortage”.
They added they would “continue to engage with all parties through the previously agreed processes”.
A Morrisons spokesperson said: “We understand that Eddie Stobart Limited and Unite remain in discussions on this issue and encourage both parties to engage constructively to find a solution.”
