Workers at two Brighton ASDA stores to be balloted for strikes
A union claims staff are facing 'toxic working conditions'
Last updated 15th Feb 2024
Workers at two ASDA supermarkets in Brighton could walk out next month, after a union announced plans for a strike ballot.
GMB members at the Hollingbury and Brighton Marina stores will vote on whether to take action over the next two weeks, starting from Friday (February 16th).
The union has described the working environment at the stores as 'toxic', claiming workers are angry at issues including cuts in hours, poor health and safety and inadequate training.
Workers are also understood to have shared concerns about a lack of collective bargaining rights and a failure to resolve concerns around equal pay.
GMB also members walked out last month at the retailer's Gosport store, while a similar ballot is also set to get underway tomorrow among workers in Wisbech in Cambridgeshire.
Nadine Houghton, GMB National Officer, said:
"Asda workers are voting on strike action because they want to see a better, thriving company.
“Meanwhile the Issa Brothers and TDR Capital continue the asset stripping of Asda at pace.
"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.
"GMB members want to know why they are being forced to do more work with fewer colleagues and worsening health and safety standards, while Moshin Issa spends millions on mansions and private jets.
"These cuts are not something that ASDA workers agreed to nor had any say in.
“That is why they are calling for proper rights for Asda’s largest trade union - GMB - to represent them."
An ASDA spokesperson said:
"We value feedback from our colleagues and have established processes in place for them to address any concerns.
"We've requested specific details from the GMB regarding the alleged issues in our Wisbech and Brighton stores but have yet to receive this information. We’re also waiting for them to share details of the alleged issues they have found in the Gosport store too.
"While any potential disruption is unwelcome, we are confident this can be managed and these stores will remain open as normal for our customers.
"This was demonstrated recently in Gosport, where fewer than 30 colleagues participated in industrial action.”