Statement following meeting between Scottish Secretary and Argos

06 Nov 2002

Following a meeting today (Wednesday 6 November) between Scottish Secretary Helen Liddell and Argos management, Helen Liddell said:

"I was delighted to hear from Terry Duddy, Chief Executive of Argos Retail Group today that the company will review its policy on compulsory Sunday working for its Scottish employees.

"The company stated categorically that they do not and would not compel anyone on an existing contract to work on a Sunday where the employee objected for religious reasons.

"They have agreed that in the case of the 11 workers who have since left the company because of difficulties over Sunday working, Argos Management will now reopen as a matter of urgency negotiations with the Unions to examine the particular position of those who may wish to come back to the company under these new arrangements.

"I am grateful to the management of Argos for taking such a constructive and forward looking approach to these matters when I met them today."

NOTES FOR EDITORS

1. Argos was represented at the meeting by Terry Duddy, Chief Executive, Argos Retail Group, Mike Sibbald, HR Director and Peter Jones, Operations Director, Argos.