Asda’s Lowestoft store in Suffolk is set to be become the fifth store to vote on industrial action over claims of issues such as cuts in hours and poor quality training.
A consultative ballot of nearly 200 GMB members at the store found that almost 90% were ready to strike on a turnout of just under 80%, according to the union.
It has said that workers are also looking to take action over claims that health and safety issues are not being addressed, fire safety breaches, equal pay not being resolved in a timely manor and there being no collective bargaining with GMB.
The union will notify the supermarket giant this week of the impending vote, with the ballot likely to begin the following week.
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GMB regional organiser Keith Dixon said: “Asda has lost its leadership, it’s direction and management no longer values colleagues. The current state of the company is dire.
“GMB members in Asda Lowestoft are fed up with lies, they want issues resolving they do not want to be fobbed off. We have evidence of around 4,000 health and safety breaches, including blocked fire exits, fire routes, and fire extinguishers, along with faulty fire alarm systems.
“It’s illegal and it should be addressed – we have sent with photographic evidence to Asda but they appear to be burying their heads in the sand.
“GMB is behind every one of our members within Asda Lowestoft in making sure their voices are heard and they are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve.”
An Asda spokesperson said: “We have established processes in place for colleagues to raise any issues or concerns they may have and we have not received any formal complaints at the Lowestoft store relating to the claims made by the GMB.
“Providing a safe working environment is of paramount importance to us and if colleagues have any safety-related concerns we would ask these are brought to the attention of a manager immediately so they can be investigated and promptly resolved.”
It comes as earlier this month, workers in Asda’s Gosport store went on strike for 48 hours over a working environment that they describe as “toxic”.
Since then, workers have been voting on strike action at further sites, including Asda’s Wisbech, Brighton Hollingbury and Brighton Marina stores over claims of issues such as cuts in hours and poor health and safety.
