Sacked lorry drivers staged a silent demonstration outside an employment tribunal hearing in Sheffield yesterday as their union Unite led a legal battle for compensation.

The boss held responsible for the sackings had to walk shame-faced through the protesters after being called to give evidence.

Some 184 drivers worked at Tesco’s distribution centre in Doncaster before their jobs were transferred to transport firm Eddie Stobart in August 2012.

The following month Stobart gave them 90 days’ notice of dismissal, sparking a four-month dispute.

A tribunal hearing opened in Sheffield yesterday and is expected to last six days.

Unite national officer Adrian Jones said: “Our members are saying that Tesco and Stobart colluded to sack our members, who had fought hard for terms and conditions over many years, so that they could be replaced by cheaper drivers.”

Workers plan to stage silent demonstrations on each day of the tribunal hearing.