Argos workers to strike over pay

Workers at a number of Argos distribution centres are to hold two 24-hour strikes followed by longer stoppages in a row over pay.

Unite said its members at four sites across the UK will walk out on July 17 and 24, followed by a four-day stoppage at the end of the month.

The announcement followed a vote by the workers in favour of strike action after they rejected a pay offer of 4%.

The union said it was also in dispute with the company over plans to change the sick pay scheme.

Unite argued that the below-inflation pay offer was made at a time when Argos's parent group Home Retail was increasing its profits.

Regional officer Jennie Formby warned that Argos faces "severe disruption" to its distribution network.

"A below-inflation wage offer is a pay cut and this is totally unacceptable to our members."

Around 1,300 workers will go on strike at four distribution sites - in Heywood, Lancashire, Basildon, Essex, Bridgewater in Somerset and a site near Rugby.

The first strike next week will be held on the same day that hundreds of thousands of council workers will also be taking industrial action over pay.

Share this article

Send this article to a friend »

• Del.icio.us
• Digg
• Reddit
• Facebook
• StumbleUpon

What are these?