Supermarket group Jumbo is going to court in an effort to have a pre-Easter strike by distribution centre workers ruled illegal.

Jumbo says the unions have failed to meet agreements and have refused to return to the negotiating table.

The union is calling for a 2.5% increase and more permanent jobs. Some 3,000 people work in Jumbo distribution centres and 2,000 of them are employed on temporary contracts, the FNV says.

Jumbo said on Monday that it is prepared to raise distribution centre pay 1.5% from April.

The union is also in dispute with market leader Albert Heijn about distribution centre pay and a deadline for agreement passed last Friday.