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Asda strikes spread as GMB slams ‘asset-stripping billionaire owners’

ASDA strike action is spreading, with workers at three more stores voting to walk out over the “toxic” working environment at the retail giant.

GMB union blamed superstore owners the billionaire Issa brothers and private equity firm TDR Capital for “continuing asset-stripping of Asda at pace” after its first-ever strike in Gosport earlier this month.

Nearly 400 union members at the Wisbech, Brighton Hollingbury, and Brighton Marina stores will now vote on whether to take industrial action until March 5.

The union said workers are angry at cuts in hours, poor health and safety, inadequate training, lack of collective bargaining (rights to negotiate on pay and conditions) and a failure to resolve equal pay concerns.

GMB national officer Nadine Houghton said: “An estimated eight million hours have been cut from the shop floor in the past two years alone, reducing staff costs by up to tens of millions of pounds.”

An Asda spokesman said it has established processes in place for the union to raise concerns and is yet to receive specific details over alleged issues.

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