Argos delivery drivers have cancelled a strike that threatened to cause major disruption to Christmas deliveries.
Members of the Unite union employed by Argos through logistics firm Wincanton were due to walk out for three days starting 20 December, but they will now vote on an offer to end the pay dispute.
Unite regional officer Rick Coyle said: “We have had constructive talks with the Wincanton management today and, as a result, we have hammered out a deal that Unite feels it can recommend to our members.
“The details of the deal are confidential and we will be balloting our drivers on the offer.
“While this ballot is being conducted all proposed industrial action has been suspended and our members at the Argos national distribution centre in Staffordshire will be working normally.”
A Wincanton spokesman said: “We are equally pleased that our planned meeting today has produced an outcome which works for all parties.
“All industrial action has now been suspended pending a ballot on the terms of the agreement among Unite members, and at this important time of year, the Argos business will be unaffected.”
An Argos spokesman said: “We’re pleased that both sides have resolved their issues.
”Once again, we’d like to reassure our customers that it’s business as usual this Christmas at Argos.“
Unite the union had warned of “havoc and chaos” for Argos customers in the run-up to Christmas as its drivers said they would strike for 72 hours starting 20 December.
Members had voted overwhelmingly for the walkout after they said Argos had failed to pay holiday back pay for two years, amounting to £700 per worker on average.
Unite confirmed on Wednesday that BA cabin crew had voted to strike with a walkout potentially taking place before Christmas.
[Source:- independent]
