ARGOS distribution workers in Bridgwater are set to go on strike for a further three weeks as a dispute over possible redundancies rumbles on.

Unite, the country’s largest union which represents the 1,100 workers affected, warned that deliveries to customers will be severely hit, once the strikes by the warehouse staff begin early in the morning of Tuesday, August 15 and ending early in the morning of Tuesday, September 5.

Bridgwater is one of four sites which will be going on strike as negotiations regarding redundancy and severance packages continue.

Unite is angry that Argos has failed to give guarantees at all its logistics sites that workers’ future terms and conditions will be safeguarded, after nearly 500 workers were transferred from its Lutterworth distribution hub in Leicestershire to Wincanton Logistics in Kettering, Northamptonshire.

The union said it is worried about the intentions of Argos, now owned by supermarket giant Sainbury’s.

Unite national officer for logistics and retail distribution Matt Draper said: “What we are faced with is the thin end of the wedge with Sainbury’s pulling the strings behind the scenes – and that the not-so-hidden agenda is serious cost-cutting to the detriment of our members.

“The transfer of the workers from Lutterworth to the Wincanton site at Kettering, whether they wanted to go or not, led to this strike ballot.

“We want a comprehensive national agreement with the employer covering redundancy and severance packages, as well as our members at Barton being covered by such an agreement and to be allowed into the national forum, if they so wish, which is not the case at present.

“These strikes will enormously affect deliveries to Argos customers as the firm works on ‘a just in time’ delivery policy. Even the smallest disruption or delay will adversely impact on the supply chain."

An Argos spokesperson said: “We’re disappointed with the union’s actions, which are based on unreasonable demands and are wholly unnecessary.

"Customers will not be impacted and should be reassured that full contingency plans are in place.”