Kettering warehouse staff given pay rise after union steps in
Argos warehouse workers employed by Wincanton are getting a 19 per cent pay increase after negotiations by Unite.
In 2017, 145 workers were transferred from Magna Park in Leicestershire to the Argos site in Kettering.
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Hide AdThe workers transferred to the Kettering site on higher salaries and created an “unfair” two-tier workforce which threatened unity and morale amongst the 300 workers.
But the workers union successfully negotiated pay upwards to achieve parity between the two groups of workers in a deal which means the lower paid workers will get a 19 per cent increase by 2022.
It means that the pay of a typical worker who was on the lower rate will increase from £10 an hour to £11.88. The remaining workers also received a payment worth six per cent.
Unite regional officer Mick Orpin said: “Union negotiators did a fantastic job in difficult circumstances to ensure workers were treated fairly after an unsettling company restructure.
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Hide Ad“The union has now negotiated parity for the workforce by securing a 19 per cent pay increase for the lower paid workers.
“The remaining workers also received a payment worth six per cent and they overwhelmingly supported the deal.
“It now means the workers are strong, organised and united thanks to their union Unite.
“This was a complex set of negotiations but the deal delivers for the entire workforce.
“The work of Unite representatives demonstrates the value of having a strong recognised trade union at a time when insecure work is on the rise.”