A strike at Asda’s Gosport superstore has been suspended for the third time following further talks between GMB union and the supermarket giant.
Following the discussions chaired by Acas yesterday, GMB and Asda said the industrial action had been temporarily postponed “to allow a ballot of GMB members on the proposals put forward by Asda.”
Up to 100 workers were expected to walk out during the strikes, which were due to take place from 19 to 21 January, to address issues in stores as GMB claims members describe it as a “toxic atmosphere”.
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Last month, GMB sent the grocer a document detailing 21 issues in the Gosport store, including claims that fire safety exits had been blocked by rubbish and stock, and that accidents and workplace incidents were “not taken seriously”.
It comes as Asda has been trialling a variety of flexible working patterns for managers in 20 stores, including a four-day working week for the same pay and benefits.
GMB national officer Nadine Houghton told The Telegraph that managers are “leaving in their droves” after facing pressure to run stores with fewer resources.
However, an Asda spokesperson said the trial came as “flexible working patterns have become commonplace in retail leadership in recent years, and we are keen to test and learn different ways of working that benefit our colleagues and business”.
