More than 400 Argos employees are to strike next week, in protest at the proposed transfer of 96 drivers to Eddie Stobart Logistics.

Unite said that workers at the Lutterworth site are concerned that the initial transfer could open the floodgates to more staff transferals to the haulier, which they believe could have detrimental effects on pay, working conditions and job security.

A ballot saw 75% of voting staff opt for strike action. Warehouse and admin staff will strike for six days, beginning at midnight on 7 June to 6pm on 12 June, while drivers will strike from 7 June until 11.59pm on the 11th.

In a statement, Unite said it is “still open to talks” from Argos and urged the retailer to “get around the table for talks for the sake of its employees”.

The union’s regional coordinating officer, Paresh Patel, said: “If Argos persists in their hard line against the drivers, we will be demanding two things.

“Firstly, that our members are offered decent severance packages should they wish not to work for ESL.

“Secondly, those drivers who do transfer have their pay, and terms and conditions protected for at least three years under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations (Tupe).”

A spokesman for Argos said: “Argos customers will not experience any disruption in the event of a proposed strike at its Magna Park Distribution Centre, which is one of several Distribution Centres around the UK.

“The strike relates to the intention to Tupe the site’s 100 driver colleagues to Eddie Stobart. Contingency plans are in place to ensure that customers are unaffected by the proposed strike.”

Unite has expressed concerns that, as the remainder of Argos’s transport operation is already outsourced to Wincanton, down the line more workers may come to be employed by Eddie Stobart as existing contracts come up for renewal.

A spokesman for Wincanton told Motortransport.co.uk it did not expect to be affected by the dispute.

He said: “We have a long and valued relationship with Argos and will continue to work with them to support the ongoing transformation of their distribution and supply chain. No Wincanton employees will be affected by Argos' announcement.”

Topics