Leeds, UK: The GMB union has warned that strikes by Asda warehouse staff and drivers could be on the cards after 94% voted in favour of industrial action.
The union says that the dispute sparked after Asda failed to offer distribution staff a meaningful pay offer – with inflation running at a ten-year high.
GMB union representatives are expected to meet after the next pay talks to agree on the next steps in moving to a formal strike ballot.
This week GMB wrote to Asda asking if it is holding back distribution workers’ pay because of potential future liabilities in a long-running equal pay claim. This is centred on 30,000 shopfoor workers, predominantly women, who the union believes do not get the same money for the same value work as people employed in the company’s distribution centres. GMB members at Asda have called on the supermarket chain to carry out an Equal Pay Audit in partnership with GMB.
Nadine Houghton, GMB national officer, said: “This immense vote in favour of industrial action shows the bubbling anger and resentment among the workers.
“Asda workers are risking their lives as this pandemic rages on – our members in the depots lost colleagues to this disease. They have kept this nation fed throughout every lockdown, turning up for work day in day out.
“All they are now asking for is a fair slice of the pandemic profit pie which Asda directors have benefited hugely from, money our hard working members created for the company. It’s repugnant corporate behaviour and workers are ready to strike.”
