Hundreds of Asda workers staged a protest outside the supermarket giant’s headquarters in Leeds, angry at the new pay contract unveiled by the chain.
The protest, organised by the GMB union, follows allegations of “bullying tactics” by Asda against workers who are opposed to the so-called ‘Contract 6’. The terms of the new contract will see a hike in minimum hourly store wages but eliminates paid breaks.
The GMB said the new contract “would result in a devastating impact upon the work-life balance, security and income for our GMB members within Asda … We have had reports of managers using bullying and threatening behaviour against members by offering false promises, going uninvited to the home of members who are suffering terminal illnesses and even threatening to withhold holidays and sick pay if they do not agree to sign the new contract … It is despicable that a company the size of Asda would treat their colleagues in such a way.
However, Asda has defended the contract, saying the “overwhelming majority” of its staff had signed up to the new contract. The Walmart-owned banner noted: “The retail sector is undergoing significant change and it is important that we are able to keep pace with these changes … While we appreciate that some of our colleagues find the changes more unsettling, we do not want any of them to leave. We have been clear that we understand colleagues have commitments outside of work and will not be asking them to constantly move the time they work, their days or departments. Any changes will be with at least four weeks’ notice.”
