Argos workers to go on strike

UK retailer Argos has confirmed that staff at four of its major distribution centres are to stage a series of 24 hour strikes – a move that is expected to cause the firm severe disruption”, according to

The Retail Bulletin

.

The Basildon, Bridgwater, Heywood and Magna Park distribution centres will all be affected. Details and dates of the action will be announced next week, and are expected to take the form of a number of one-day strikes building up to a four-day stoppage.

The move comes after workers rejected a pay increase offer of four per cent.

"Argos now faces severe disruption to their customer distribution service,” Unite national secretary Jennie Formby stated. Our members have been working harder and more flexibly. Thanks to them Argos distribution has managed to save over 10 million pounds for the group in the last fifteen months alone.

Many distribution workers earn as little as 17,000 a year for doing back-breaking, essential work for this company. A below inflation wage offer is a pay cut and this is totally unacceptable to our members. They are already struggling to keep up with rising food and energy costs."