This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/dec/14/argos-drivers-suspend-industrial-action-unite-wincanton
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Argos drivers agree to suspend plans for industrial action | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Argos delivery drivers have suspended plans for strike action after talks with the operator of the retailer’s main distribution centre. | Argos delivery drivers have suspended plans for strike action after talks with the operator of the retailer’s main distribution centre. |
| The 35 drivers, who all drive lorries operating out of a warehouse in Burton upon Trent run by logistics firm Wincanton, are demanding an average of £700 in back holiday pay dating back as long as two years. | The 35 drivers, who all drive lorries operating out of a warehouse in Burton upon Trent run by logistics firm Wincanton, are demanding an average of £700 in back holiday pay dating back as long as two years. |
| Unite, the union which is representing the drivers, said it had reached an agreement with Wincanton on Wednesday morning and hammered out a deal which it could recommend to its members. They would then vote on whether to accept the deal. | Unite, the union which is representing the drivers, said it had reached an agreement with Wincanton on Wednesday morning and hammered out a deal which it could recommend to its members. They would then vote on whether to accept the deal. |
| Unite regional officer Rick Coyle said: “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.” | Unite regional officer Rick Coyle said: “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 spokesperson for Wincanton 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.” | A spokesperson for Wincanton 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.” |
| Meanwhile, the union representing Post Office workers has started three days of talks to avert strike action before Christmasat its 300 biggest branches. | Meanwhile, the union representing Post Office workers has started three days of talks to avert strike action before Christmasat its 300 biggest branches. |
| Post Office workers voted to stage five days of strikes from 19 December in a long-running dispute over jobs and pensions. The Communication Workers Union, which acts for about 4,000 postal workers, has said it wants to avoid strike action if possible. | Post Office workers voted to stage five days of strikes from 19 December in a long-running dispute over jobs and pensions. The Communication Workers Union, which acts for about 4,000 postal workers, has said it wants to avoid strike action if possible. |
| The Post Office said less than 3% of its outlets would be affected by the action. But the CWU said more than a fifth of parcels were handled by the 300 crown post offices where its members work. | The Post Office said less than 3% of its outlets would be affected by the action. But the CWU said more than a fifth of parcels were handled by the 300 crown post offices where its members work. |
| Royal Mail, which delivers parcels and letters and is privately owned after splitting from the Post Office several years ago, has said its operations would not be affected by the strike. | Royal Mail, which delivers parcels and letters and is privately owned after splitting from the Post Office several years ago, has said its operations would not be affected by the strike. |