THE GMB union warned retail giant Asda is in a “dire” state as a second strike ballot opened today over cuts in hours and management bullying.

More than 150 members at the supermarket giant’s Wisbech site asked for the consultative vote to address these issues as well as poor training, inadequate support, an ongoing equal pay claim and safety issues being ignored.

It comes after more than 100 GMB members at Asda’s Gosport superstore voted for industrial action last month – the first ever vote of its kind – for which talks are ongoing.