Asda has announced that its 103,000 hourly-paid store staff will receive a share of a £27.8m bonus pot in their February pay packet.
The average bonus for full-time workers is £413, whilst the average figure for all hourly-paid store staff is £269.
Hayley Tatum, Asda’s People Director, said: “This payout is only possible thanks to the continued hard work and dedication of our store colleagues. They did a fantastic job serving millions of customers last year, often in challenging circumstances due to the pandemic, and their bonuses are well deserved.”
However, union leaders stated that the bonus was “no substitute for a proper pay rise”.
The GMB Union recently wrote to Asda’s management, criticising them for what was described as a real terms pay cut for its retail workers.
The supermarket group is increasing its pay this year by 3.25% – significantly below the current inflation rate. It has also made a pay offer for next year which the GMB said runs the risk of Asda effectively becoming a “minimum wage employer”.
Nadine Houghton, GMB National Officer, said today: “A one-off hand-out is no substitute for a proper pay rise.
“Upping a workers’ wages in a genuine pay rise leads to an ongoing improvement in their standard of living and ability to weather the storm as inflation skyrockets.
“Asda must know it’s wrong to force a real terms pay cut on staff during the worst cost-of-living crisis in decades – set to get even worse following event in Ukraine.
“A one-off payment is just that – a one-off – and it’s not the answer. Engaging with GMB to negotiate for Asda retail workers’ pay, is.”
Asda is also facing potential disruption in its distribution operation after thousands of lorry drivers, warehouse staff, and clerical workers voted to reject the supermarket’s latest pay offer.
NAM Implications:
- Seems like a ‘No’…
- …which coupled with other wage issues in the pipeline…
- …spell distraction for Asda…
- …and opportunities for rivals.
- Key for suppliers to reassess their strategic options…
- …re labelling their customers as Invest, Maintain or Divest?
