LONDON (ShareCast) - A series of 24-hour strikes and a four-day walkout are set to hit four regional distribution centres operated by Argos in a row over pay, it emerged Monday.

Two-thirds of workers voted to down tools, said union Unite, having rejected a 4% pay deal with the high street catalogue chain.

The strike dates at the centres in Basildon, Bridgwater, Heywood and Magna Park in Leicestershire are due to be announced later this week.

Argos, owned by Home Retail Group, has angered staff with its wage proposal and claims that the firm wants to erode the sick pay scheme.

"A below inflation wage offer is a pay cut and this is totally unacceptable to our members," said Unite national secretary Jennie Formby.

"They are already struggling to keep up with rising food and energy costs," she added.

Argos reported record full year profits at the end of April, an increase in revenue to £4.32bn and 0.7% growth in like for like sales.

Last month, figures revealed the unit had started the year as expected, with sales up 4% to £929m during the 13 weeks from 2 March to 31 May, while flat like for like sales were better than the drop of 2 or 3% analysts had feared.

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