Asda’s store in Lowestoft is facing a walkout by staff in a dispute over pay and conditions.
It would become the third Asda store to face a strike. Workers at the supermarket’s Gosport site walked out last month and staff at its Wisbech store are set for industrial action over Easter weekend.
Almost 200 GMB union members at Lowestoft are now set to down tools after a majority of 87% voted for strike action, with dates to be announced in the coming days.
Union leaders have claimed that workers in Asda’s stores are angry at a series of issues, including cuts in hours, poor quality training, health and safety issues, equal pay not being resolved, no collective bargaining, and “bullying management”.
Asda has claimed the issues highlighted by the unions are being exaggerated.
Keith Dixon, GMB Regional Organiser, said: “Asda’s owners are not investing in stores and workers are paying the price … They’ve had enough and are walking out to make sure Asda listens.”
An Asda spokesperson commented: “We value feedback from our colleagues and have worked collaboratively with the GMB representatives in Lowestoft to address the points raised.
“While we are disappointed by the outcome of the ballot, we will continue to engage with GMB representatives to try and reach an amicable solution.
“It is important to note that fewer than 50% of colleagues at the Lowestoft store have said they would support industrial action, and we can reassure colleagues and customers that we have comprehensive plans in place to minimise disruption in the event of industrial action at the store.”
NAM Implications:
- Angry at a series of issues…
- including cuts in hours
- poor quality training
- health and safety issues
- equal pay not being resolved
- no collective bargaining,
- and “bullying management”.
- All look like symptoms of a deeper malaise.
- Unlikely to be resolved by words and highly likely to spread…
