Wincanton ‘disappointed’ with drivers ahead of Argos Christmas strike

The drivers work for Wincanton at the Argos Burton on Trent NDC and the strike is set to start from 00.01 on Tuesday 20 December. 

The drivers voted by 83% to strike and by 95% for industrial action short of a strike over Wincanton’s failure to honour holiday back pay for at least the last two years. Each driver is owed an average of about £700.

The Staffordshire site is critical as it supplies the other seven Argos NDCs across the UK. 

Unite says 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.

The management has offered to backdate the holiday pay from April this year, while Unite says the pay should cover at least the last two years, hence the estimated £700 owed to individual drivers.  

Uncontrolled vehicle movements dispute

In a separate dispute, Wincanton drivers working at the Argos centre in Basildon in Essex are voting on whether to take industrial action over a disciplinary system relating to ‘uncontrolled vehicle movements’. This ballot result is due on Friday (16 December).   

Wincanton response

In a statement to Handling & Storage Solutions, Wincanton said: “We are disappointed with Unite’s announcement given that at Unite’s request we already have a meeting scheduled tomorrow morning (Wednesday December 14) with ACAS to resolve the issue. This follows Wincanton’s announcement to change its holiday pay calculations to include overtime for the first 20 days of annual leave entitlement taken in each holiday year. The change to holiday pay applies to all employees who receive overtime payments and therefore exceeds Wincanton’s obligations in line with recent holiday pay rulings and statutory guidance. We are committed to ongoing dialogue with Unite the Union. No other Wincanton operations are affected.”

Commenting on the upcoming ballot at the Basildon site, Wincanton said: “Following the notice of intent to hold an Industrial Action ballot for Wincanton employed drivers at our Basildon site, we can confirm that Wincanton takes matters relating to Health & Safety of its’ employees and the public very seriously. ln cases of Uncontrolled Vehicle Movements (UVMs) we apply a fair and considered approach by reviewing each occurrence individually resulting in us taking preventative and corrective measures where necessary, including if necessary, disciplinary action.”

Argos comment

In relation to the strike planned to start on December 20, an Argos spokesperson said: “We would encourage both sides to keep talking with the aim of coming to a swift resolution. We also have contingency plans in place and can reassure customers we’re working hard to ensure this will not impact our deliveries this Christmas.”