Asda faces strike vote at Gosport superstore as workers hit ‘breaking point’

Asda workers at its Gosport store are to take part in an industrial action ballot following a “litany of grievances”. claims the GMB Union.

Up to 100 GMB union members at the Hampshire store will take part in the vote, which begins this Friday and closes on 22 December.

The disputes revolves around the staff’s treatment at the hands of store management including repeated wage errors, pressure to work extra shifts and numerous health and safety issues, according to the union.

Other issues that have led to the strike vote include numerous reports of fire safety complaints, including fire exits being constantly blocked.

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GMB regional organiser Nicola Nixon said: “This dispute has been brewing for some time now, with local management continuing to ignore growing concerns and an extremely stressed workforce reaching breaking point.”

She said that complaints were so varied that a list of 21 “points of concern” had been drafted to be shared with Asda executives.

Nixon urged the grocer’s management to “stop burying their heads in the sand”.

“It’s beginning to look a lot un-like Christmas for Gosport Asda staff, and perhaps this dispute may have been avoided had management invested in their staff a little more, rather than paying Michael Bublé a fortune to front their Christmas campaign.”

An Asda spokesperson said: “We value feedback from our colleagues and have established procedures in place for them to raise any concerns they may have. The GMB has not brought any issues at the Gosport store to our attention, however, we would welcome the opportunity to meet with them and discuss any concerns they may have.”