Asda has been warned by trade union GMB that it will have “no choice” but to move forward with a formal strike ballot if its distribution workers reject the grocers revised pay offer made by the Issa brothers.
The union began a ballot yesterday of nearly 8,000 Asda workers over a new pay deal from the Big 4 grocer.
The latest offer has seen the supermarket giant offer a base rate increase to warehouse and clerical staff from 4.98% to 6.10% and 6.49% to 7.53% for transport staff.
Before Christmas, 94% of GMB members indicated they were prepared to take strike action after the supermarket turned down the opportunity to make “a meaningful pay offer”.
READ MORE: Asda advised to ‘come clean’ & ‘disclose’ reasons for lack of pay rises
“Asda’s distribution workers have put pressure on bosses to get an improved pay offer,” GMB national officer Nadine Houghton said
“It is now up to them if they are willing to accept it. If they turn this pay offer down, we will have no choice but to move to a formal strike ballot.”
The news comes after Asda has seen “dramatical” price hikes in comparison to its rivals, according to data from research firm Assosia.
The price of a basket of 18 staples has risen by 13.6% at Asda. That compares with inflation of 8.3% on the same basket of goods across the market as a whole.
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1 Comment. Leave new
Where does this leave the supermarket workers? I currently deliver home shopping and if they ain’t offering a good pay rise I won’t be stopping and I get a feeling others will go as well.