Argos, Bridgewater: 4-day Pensions Strike Starts

To all Bridgwater/Highbridge/mid-Somerset Trades Unionists:
Friends,
'An injury to one is an injury to all!'
Today Wednesday, was the first of a four-day strike by hundreds of Unite Bridgwater ARGOS warehouse workers. The protest strike concerns a vicious attack on workers' pensions, similar to that perpetrated by Uniliver at their factories, including Walls Ice Cream at Gloucester, earlier in the year.I attended the Unite picket line today on behalf of the Bridgwater Trades Union Council. Support for the strike, which also includes four other ARGOS distribution depots, was excellent, with very few crossing the twenty-strong picket/members support line.
Wincanton PLC drivers who work at ARGOS have been subject to threatening letters, should they stop their lorries on the picket line let alone refuse to cross. Solidarity is therefore important. Local trades unionists are welcome at Huntworth-off the M5 slip road-any time during tomorrow/Thursday, Friday, and Sunday. (The depot closes on Saturdays)
The picket-line UNITE reps include Andy, Steve and Chris, together with local full-time officer Dorothy Fogg. Dorothy can be contacted for further information via the Taunton UNITE office on 01823 442464. Please try and find time to make that solidarity visit!  If you can't make either the picket line or the store leaflet, you can send an E-mail message of support to me (or directly to Dorothy or Laurence above) and I will pass it on.
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Bridgwater Trades Council, including UNITE delegates will be showing solidarity with the ARGOS strikers by leafletting the ARGOS store at the Clink, Eastover (opposite McDonalds) during this strike.  Times when we propose to leaflet ARGOS shoppers are EITHER Friday 4pm to 5.30pm; Saturday 10am till 11.30am, or Sunday 10.30am till 12pm. Please let me know urgently-and no later than Thursday 10pm- which times suit you. If you can only leaflet for 30 minutes, that's fine, but do try and take part. I will let you know which day and time has been chosen.
Dave Chapple, Secretary, Bridgwater Trades Union Council:  Tel. 01278 450562 (answer phone)