Workers at Castleford’s Argos distribution centre to walk out on strike

Members of the Unite union will hold a 24-hour strike from 6am in a dispute over changes to working patterns.

Matt Draper, Unite national officer for road transport and logistics, said: “In many cases, these changes are going to cause havoc with childcare arrangements and mean spouses and partners will see much less of each other. The company’s plans will seriously undermine the work/life balance.

“We urge the employer to return to the negotiating table and relax the new strict criteria. This would allow us to reach agreement, once the management has recognised the impact its plans will have on our members’ lives.

“We predict that Friday’s strike will cause substantial disruption to the deliveries to customers.”

An Argos spokesman said 98 per cent of distribution colleagues had already agreed to the changes.

He added: “We believe the proposed changes represent the best outcome for the security of our

colleagues and Argos alike.

“As such, we are now asking colleagues to accept the changes to their contract in order to help us realise our transformation plan.

“We have been advised of the strike, and have contingency plans in place to ensure a normal service for our customers.”