A strike at Asda’s Gosport superstore has been further postponed “in a show of good faith” following talks between the supermarket’s bosses and GMB Union.
The strike, which was originally scheduled to begin on 12 January was pushed back to 15 January last week to allow for “last-ditch” discussions, chaired by ACAS.
During the talks, Asda asked to meet again with the union on 18 January to respond.
While the strikes scheduled for 15 to 18 January have since been suspended, GMB regional organiser Nicola Dixon said that if “sufficient progress hasn’t taken place in the meantime,” the strike will go ahead on 19 January.
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Dixon explained: “GMB have agreed to further push back the strike action at Asda’s Gosport Superstore in a show of good faith following talks with the employer yesterday.
“Asda top brass may be distracted by what’s going on at the select committee but that doesn’t mean they can ignore what is happening at a store-level in Gosport.
“Asda colleagues are continuing to join GMB to be a part of this historic strike action – the first such strike in an Asda store – so the longer this rumbles on, the more union members will be picketing outside the front of the store.
“Our members are bang up for this struggle and we will only delay this strike for so long.”
Up to 100 workers are expected to walk out in a bid to address issues in stores, as GMB claims members describe it as a “toxic atmosphere”.
It comes as Asda’s private equity owners TDR Capital were questioned by MPs earlier this week over the supermarket giant’s debt pile, a lack of transparency and workers’ rights.
