Strike action looms at Asda after pay offer rejected
Leeds-headquartered supermarket chain Asda is facing a potential strike after thousands of its staff rejected a pay offer.
Nearly 70% of distribution staff have turned down what they have described as a “real terms pay cut”, with almost 80% prepared to strike, according to the GMB union.
The below inflation pay offer was rejected by nearly 70% of 8,000 polled GMB members.
Involved in the dispute are the supermarket chain’s warehouse, clerical and transport staff who are employed in the Asda Logistics Services (ALS) division.
GMB national officer, Nadine Houghton said: “The UK is facing the worst cost of living crisis for a generation. Inflation is rampant and energy prices are out of control.
“Yet Asda workers are being taken for mugs with below inflation pay offer that basically means a real terms pay cut.
“They’re not going to take it lying down – it’s now up to Asda bosses to come back with a reasonable offer and avert the threat of industrial action.”
Asda responded that it had offered the following last month: An increase of 4.98% to 6.10% for warehouse & clerical colleagues (average increase = 5.53%) and an increase of 6.49% to 7.53% for transport colleagues (average = 7.02%).
Jon Parry, vice president at Asda Logistics Services, said: “We value the key role our colleagues play to keep our stores well stocked and we have negotiated in good faith with the GMB to make a fair, competitive and sustainable pay offer that recognises rising inflation.
“We are disappointed this has been rejected and we expect the GMB to honour the National Recognition Agreement, signed by both parties in 2012, as this provides an agreed framework to resolve outstanding matters.”
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