Argos workers in Burton suspend strike action

A threatened strike by drivers who deliver Argos goods has been called off, the union Unite said.

Argos drivers were set to take industrial action near Burton on Trent over what unions are calling a failure to honour holiday back pay.

The drivers work for Wincanton based at Argos’s flagship national distribution centre (NDC) at Barton-under-Needwood, near Burton on Trent, in Staffordshire and had planned to strike for three days from 00.01 on Tuesday 20 December.

However, both parties have come to a mutual agreement on the treatment of the historical pay issues specific to the Barton site which will be put to the Unite members in a ballot.

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.

“I would like to thank our members for the solidarity they have shown during this dispute and we look forward to a positive relationship with the management at Wincanton going forward.”

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.”