Unite members at Argos’s Lutterworth site are planning two sets of strikes next week over plans to transfer 96 drivers to Eddie Stobart Ltd.
Strikes are planned to go on for six days – starting at 00:01 on Tuesday 7th June, and ending at 5.59 hours on 12th June, for the warehouse and admin staff. The drivers will strike from 00.01 on 7th June, and it will end at 23.59 on Saturday 11th June.
Some 420 union members are expected to walk out after 75 per cent voted for strike action. The union argues that if the drivers are transferred to ESL that the rest of the workforce will follow with possible detrimental effects on pay, employment conditions and job security.
The transfer to Stobart is due to take place on Sunday 12th June.
“The management can avoid this action by rescinding the decision to outsource the drivers to Eddie Stobart…” said Unite regional coordinating officer Paresh Patel.
The union has two demands if Argos persists with the plan:
“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 TUPE arrangements [Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment)].”
