Wincanton has said it doesn’t expect to be affected by the dispute between union Unite and Argos over the proposed transfer of almost 100 drivers despite managing the majority of the retailer’s transport operation.

Other than the 96 in-house drivers Argos intends to transfer to Eddie Stobart Logistics, the retailer’s driving work is all outsourced to around 350 Wincanton employees.

Around 420 Argos employees at the Lutterworth site, where the 96 drivers are based, are currently being balloted over potential industrial action.

A spokesman for Unite confirmed that there are agency workers based at Lutterworth, but they are excluded from the vote.

Wincanton told Motortransport.co.uk its drivers will be unaffected by the ongoing dispute.

A spokesman 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.”

The move to transfer the drivers to Eddie Stobart was met with concern by Unite.

The union’s regional coordinating officer Paresh Patel said its members had a “strong wish to remain employed by Argos and not Eddie Stobart as it has a very poor record of treating workers who have been transferred under Tupe to its operations”.

The Unite ballot will close on 31 May.

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