Asda workers walk out at Lowestoft store over claims of poor working conditions

More than a hundred workers at Asda in Lowestoft are walking out today and tomorrow over claims of cuts to hours, and poor working conditions.

Members of the GMB union at the store voted overwhelmingly in favour of the action earlier this year, with the union saying 87% of those who voted, voted to take industrial action.

The staff are downing tools for 48 hours from 00:01 on Friday 10 May until 23.59 on Saturday 11 May.

The move makes the Lowestoft branch just the third Asda to face a strike, after workers in Gosport and Wisbech walked out earlier this year.

Workers at Brighton Holingbury have also voted to strike.

Keith Dixon, GMB Regional Organiser, said: “Asda Lowestoft workers don’t want to go on strike. But they’ve been backed into a corner by the terrible problems they now face at work.

"Standards are falling – Asda faces thousands of health and safety breaches, including blocked fire exits, fire routes and fire extinguishers, along with faulty fire alarm systems.

"And with worker hours slashed, things are only going to get worse.”

What does Asda say?

An Asda spokesperson told us: “While we are disappointed that the GMB has taken this course of action, we can reassure customers that the Lowestoft store will open as usual over the weekend.

"We have taken practical steps in Lowestoft to address the points raised by the GMB and will continue to engage with their representatives with the aim of reaching an amicable solution for all parties.”

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