Argos staff set to strike (From Leigh Journal)

Argos staff set to strike

12:16pm Tuesday 8th July 2008 in

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STAFF at four of Argos' major distribution centres are to strike.

Workers at Heywood, Greater Manchester, are among those set to stage a series of 24-hour strikes.

The other centres are Basildon, Bridgwater and Magna Park.

According to The Retail Bulletin, the retailer is expected to suffer "severe disruption".

Details and dates of the action will be announced next week, and are expected to take the form of a number of one-day strikes building up to a four-day stoppage.

The move comes after workers rejected a pay increase offer of four per cent.

"Argos now faces severe disruption to their customer distribution service," Unite national secretary Jennie Formby stated. "Our members have been working harder and more flexibly. Thanks to them Argos distribution has managed to save over £10 million pounds for the group in the last 15 months alone.

"Many distribution workers earn as little as £17,000 a year for doing back-breaking, essential work for this company. A below inflation wage offer is a pay cut and this is totally unacceptable to our members. They are already struggling to keep up with rising food and energy costs."