Argos drivers to strike in run-up to Christmas

Argos delivery drivers are set to strike for three days in the run-up to Christmas in a row over holiday pay.

According to union Unite, the drivers, who work for Wincanton based at Argos’ flagship national distribution centre in Staffordshire, will strike for three days from Tuesday 20 December.

Drivers voted by 83% to strike over Wincanton’s failure to honour holiday back pay for last the last two years, with each driver owed about £700.

The dispute with Wincanton centres on how holiday pay is calculated. Legal cases have established that overtime and extra shift payments should be taken into account when assessing holiday pay.

Management has offered to backdate the holiday pay from April this year, but the union said the pay should cover at least the last two years.

Unite regional officer Rick Coyle said: “The drivers have patiently tried to resolve this matter for over two years. Now they would like the money they are owed in time for Christmas, which is not unreasonable.

“It is very difficult to understand why Wincanton has allowed this saga to get out of hand because this strike by our members will cause havoc and mayhem to deliveries to Argos shops in the run-up to Christmas.

“We can assure Argos customers that strike dates are only being announced as a last resort and that Unite’s door is open 24/7 to try and settle this long-standing dispute.”