Argos distribution workers are to hold 24-hour strikes and a four-day total stoppage, following "unacceptable" pay packets. Workers have rejected a 4% pay rise, arguing that the figure is not compatible with the profit made by its parent company, Home Retail Group, which saw a 16% rise on last year's profit of £423m.
Unite
national secretary Jennie Formby comments: "A below-inflation wage offer is a pay cut and this is totally unacceptable to our members." Warehouse distribution workers, along with drivers from the Magna Park site in Lutterworth, will hold 24-hour strikes at Basildon, Essex Bridgwater, Somerset Heywood, Greater Manchester and Magna Park, Leicestershire on 17 and 24 July.
These will be followed by a four-day staggered stoppage starting on 30 July (Bridgwater), 31 July (Basildon and Heywood) and 1 August (Magna Park). Some 67% of those taking part in the ballot voted for strike action. Anger arose from factors such as Argos' intention to implement monthly instead of weekly pay without compensation.
Elsewhere, there was uncertainty surrounding a potential strike at Castleford. Argos considers the pay offer to be appropriate in a difficult time for the market. The group claims there are contingency plans in place to ease the effect of the union's industrial action.
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