Planned industrial action at Argos Barton NDC suspended

Wincanton and Unite have come to an agreement on the treatment of the historical pay issues specific to the Argos national distribution centre in Barton, Staffordshire. The agreement will now be put to the Unite members in a ballot.

As a result, all planned industrial action has been suspended pending the results of the ballot, which Unite said “will be concluded as quickly as possible”.

Unite regional officer Rick Coyle said: “We have had constructive talks with the Wincanton management today (Wednesday 14 December) and, as a result, we have hammered out a deal that Unite feels it can recommend to our members.

“The details of the deal are confidential and we will be balloting our drivers on the offer.

“While this ballot is being conducted all proposed industrial action has been suspended and our members at the Argos national distribution centre in Staffordshire will be working normally.”

A Wincanton spokesperson said: “We are equally pleased that our planned meeting today has produced an outcome which works for all parties.

“All industrial action has now been suspended pending a ballot on the terms of the agreement among Unite members, and at this important time of year, the Argos business will be unaffected.

“This issue is specific to Barton, Staffordshire, and no other Wincanton operations have been affected.”