Industrial action at Argos warehouses

Members of the union Unite working for Argos at the retailer’s distribution centres in Basildon, Bridgwater, Burton-on-Trent, Heywood and Lutterworth have been on strike in a dispute over job security and terms and conditions. The strike action started yesterday (17 May).

In a notice posted on Tuesday, Unite said that this could be the start of a “two week continuous strike”.

Explained why the strike had been called, United said: “The warehouse workers who prepare deliveries for Argos stores are fearful that a contracting out culture will lead to job losses and a deterioration in their terms and conditions.

“Earlier in the year Argos revealed plans to transfer nearly 500 workers from its Lutterworth distribution hub in Leicestershire to Wincanton logistics in Kettering. Despite repeated requests by Unite, Argos has refused to give guarantees at all its distribution sites that workers’ terms and conditions will be safeguarded in the future.”

Unite confirmed to Post&Parcel today that this strike has been going ahead.

However, Argos has said the strike will not affect its customers. In a statement the company said: “We can reassure customers that we have strong contingencies in place and their orders and deliveries will not be affected.”