Asda workers win latest phase in decade-long equal pay challenge

Thousands of workers at Leeds-headquartered supermarket chain Asda have won the latest stage in a decade-long equal pay case against the supermarket, which could result in a pay out worth £1.2bn.

An employment tribunal ruled 12 out of 14 lead claimants in the case, which involves 60,000 people, mostly women working in shop-based jobs, had roles of equal value to their mostly male counterparts in Asda’s warehouses, despite being paid up to £3.74 an hour less.

The ruling found checkout operators and shop floor assistants in categories including bakery, chilled, produce, customer services and the George clothing departments all carried out work of equal value to at least one warehouse role.

Two roles were found not to be of equal value – online shopping packers and store workers who only handle packaged or tinned groceries.

Those positions are understood to equate to about 11,000 claimants – or a fifth of the total. The GMB said it was considering lodging an appeal on their behalf.

Nadine Houghton, a national officer for the union, said Asda should, “stop wasting time and money dragging this case through the courts and get round the table with us to agree a settlement.”

She added: “This is a historic step towards securing equal pay justice for tens of thousands of Asda workers, but it is tainted with bitter disappointment for those who now face an appeal,” she said.

The women, who launched their claim in 2014, face one final stage in the case. Asda will need to provide a reason, not related to sex, for the difference in pay.

An Asda spokesman responded: “We strongly reject any claim that Asda’s pay rates are discriminatory.

“Asda will continue to defend these claims at the next stage of the litigation because retail and distribution are two different industry sectors that have their own market rates and distinct pay structures.”