News

Drivers and warehouse staff at four Argos distribution centres are set to strike in a dispute over pay. About 1,300 members of the Unite union have voted to hold two 24-hour strikes on 17 and 24 July at the firm's UK regional distribution centres in Heywood, Greater Manchester, Basildon, Essex, Bridgwater, Somerset and Magna Park, Leics. This will be followed by a series of four-day staggered stoppages starting on 30 July at Bridgwater, with other action taking place at Basildon and Heywood from  31 July, and at Magna Park from 1 August.

Last week, staff rejected the company's pay offer of 4%. A total of 67% of those who took part in the ballot voted for strike action, on a turnout of more than 75%. The union also says employees are unhappy about company plans to erode the sick pay scheme and implement monthly pay instead of weekly pay without any compensation.

Jennie Formby, Unite national secretary, says: "A below-inflation wage offer is a pay cut and this is totally unacceptable to our members.

"Argos distribution workers helped to save more than £10m for the group in the past 15 months alone. "All our members are asking for is a fair share of the wealth they've worked hard to create." Argos says: "We continue to believe that the pay offer of 4% is very competitive in the current, and likely future, difficult market environment, comparing extremely favourably with other retailers and with pay increases across the rest of the company."