More strikes could hit retail giant Argos unless the company goes to the conciliation service Acas to resolve a dispute over the closure of the final pension scheme, Unite has warned.

The union accused chief executive of Argos' Home Retail Group, Terry Duddy of hypocrisy for closing the final pension scheme while he has amassed a pension pot of nearly £5m, giving himself a pension worth £181,000.

Unite is fighting the plans to close the final pension scheme and replacing it with a money purchase scheme which could severely reduce the pensions of Argos employees.

Paul Davies, Unite's national officer, said: "Unite was hoping for a last-minute breakthrough with the company before the strike started, but the management has been impervious to reason.

"Our members have gone on strike and this has caused considerable disruption to store deliveries for the company. We would like this dispute to go Acas, but if Argos does not agree more strikes could be on the cards, once our members have been consulted on the next moves.

"The contrast between the feathering of the pension nest by Terry Duddy and closing the final pension scheme for those who contribute to the success of the company on a daily basis smacks of hypocrisy – something a bit too common amongst Britain's top bosses."

A total of 1,200 drivers and warehousemen have been on strike over the past week at the Argos distribution centers around the country.

First published 24.09.2012

azeevalkink@wilmington.co.uk