Asda workers are voting on strike action because they
want to see a better, thriving company, says GMB Union
Asda workers will begin a strike vote at three more stores, GMB
warned today [Thursday]
Nearly 400 GMB members at the Wisbech, Brighton Hollingbury, and
Brighton Marina stores will vote on whether to take industrial
action.
The votes follow the first ever strike of ASDA workers at the
retailer’s Gosport store, where almost 100 GMB members walked out
in protest at the ‘toxic’ working environment.
The new ballots will run from 16 February until 5 March. [See
notes for ballot dates for each store]
Workers are angry at a series of issues including:
- cuts in hours
- poor health and safety
- inadequate training
- lack of collective bargaining (rights to negotiate on pay and
conditions)
- failure to resolve equal pay
Estimates being shared among Asda staff reveal eight million
hours have been lost across Asda’s workforce in the last two
years alone, with further reductions expected this year. [1]
Nadine Houghton, GMB National Officer, said:
"Asda workers are voting on strike action because they want to
see a better, thriving company.
“Meanwhile the Issa Brothers and TDR Capital continue the asset
stripping of Asda at pace.
"An estimated eight million hours have been cut from the shop
floor in the past two years alone, reducing staff costs by up to
tens of millions of pounds.
"GMB members want to know why they are being forced to do more
work with fewer colleagues and worsening health and safety
standards, while Moshin Issa spends millions on mansions and
private jets.
"These cuts are not something that ASDA workers agreed to nor had
any say in.
“That is why they are calling for proper rights for Asda’s
largest trade union - GMB - to represent them."
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
[1] ‘Estimates being shared among staff revealed that eight
million hours have been lost across Asda’s workforce in the last
two years alone, with further reductions expected this year.’
Daily Telegraph, Issa brothers face Asda strike threats over
cost-cutting, 10 February 2024 https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2024/02/10/issa-brothers-face-asda-strike-threats-over-cost-cutting/
[2] In late 2023, Michael Gleeson (ASDA Chief Financial Officer)
said: 'Interest will increase ... [probably] by about £30
million. If on £740 million it were to increase by 4% to 5%, it
would be around £30 million.'
Business and Trade Committee hearing on private equity and the
retail sector, 19 December 2023 https://committees.parliament.uk/oralevidence/14029/html/
Ballot dates:
Wisbech: 20 February – 5 March
Brighton Hollingbury: 16 February – 1 March
Brighton Marina: 16 February – 1 March
