Asda slammed by union after ‘further falling behind on wages’

Trade union GMB has called on Big 4 grocer Asda for “falling even further behind competitors on wages”, following Sainsbury’s recent pay boost.

This comes as yesterday, rival grocer Sainsbury’s announced its workers will now be paid at least £11 an hour from next month.

However, the trade union has called on Asda bosses, the Issa brothers, to increase pay to £11:50 per hour, but so far the supermarket has refused to listen.

Currently, Asda retail workers receive £10.10 per hour, which is the lowest paid of the Big 4 group and one of the lowest paying retailers overall.

The union has also called on the supermarket giant to provide free food to staff members while they are on shift during this unprecedented cost of living crisis. However, this is something Asda has so far refused to do.

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“Sainsbury’s and Argos hourly retail colleague pay will increase from £10.25 to £11.00 per hour and from £11.30 to £11.95 per hour in London,” GMB national officer Nadine Houghton said.

“Sainsbury’s has also decided to extend free food during shifts for store and depot colleagues by a further six months. If it’s good enough for Sainsbury’s workers why is it not good enough for Asda workers?

“Asda is an outlier in the retail industry, because it refuses to negotiate with its union on wages – unlike other retailers.”

Houghton added: “That’s why they keep getting it wrong on pay – because they aren’t listening to its workers and instead agree the pay rates in an echo chamber.

“Surely Asda bosses don’t think Sainsbury’s workers are somehow worth more? GMB urges them to follow suit – upping pay and providing free food while on shift.”