Staff members at Arcadia‘s warehouse have threatened to strike on Cyber Monday, one of the retail giant’s most significant sales dates.
GMB union members who work at Spectrum, Arcadia‘s depot near Birmingham run by logistics company DHL, have threatened to strike over a pay row with bosses.
Arcadia Group, which owns some of the most popular retailers on the high street including Topshop and Dorothy Perkins, have brushed off the threats.
Sir Philip Green, who owns Arcadia, is reportedly unfazed by the vote to strike, which saw 94 per cent of members in favour of the action.
Those promising to strike make up a small minority of Arcadia‘s distribution workforce, and covers are ready to take their place.
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GMB union members are demanding to be paid the “real living wage” of £8.45, the figure recommended by the Living Wage Foundation.
They are reportedly all paid the National Minimum Wage of £7.20.
There are fears that this could spread across the retailer‘s workforce, and further action has been threatened over the Christmas trading period.
“It‘s a disgrace that Sir Philip Green who holds the purse strings on this DHL contract and has enriched himself on the backs of these loyal workers is refusing to put a sensible offer on the table,” GMB organiser David Warwick said.
“I sincerely hope he takes some time from sailing his luxury yacht to reconsider his position and pay his workers enough money for a decent standard of living.”
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