Asda workers at its Lowestoft store have confirmed the dates they will strike, over what GMB Union described as “a litany of work place problems“.
Workers are set to take industrial action for 48 hours from 00:01am on Friday 10 May until 23:59pm on Saturday 11 May.
The union said the strikes come as angered workers clap back over a series of issues, including “cuts” in hours, “poor quality” training, “bullying” management, health and safety issues “not being addressed”, fire safety breaches “rampant”, equal pay “not being resolved in a timely manner” and “no collective bargaining” with GMB.
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It marks the third strike at an Asda store, after workers walked out at Gosport and Wisbech in recent weeks.
It comes as workers at Asda’s Brighton Hollingbury have voted to strike and staff at Wealdstone are to vote on strike action over the same series of issues that GMB has claimed are present at the Lowestoft store between 26 April and 17 May.
Speaking of the Lowestoft strikes, GMB regional organiser Keith Dixon said: “GMB members used to be proud to work for Asda, but this once great supermarket is being driven into the ground.
“Standards across stores are falling – there are thousands of health and safety breaches, including blocked fire exits, fire routes, and fire extinguishers, along with faulty fire alarm systems.
“Meanwhile an estimated eight million worker hours have been cut across Asda stores, so things are only going to get worse. Asda workers have had enough and are flexing their industrial muscle to make bosses do something about it.”
An Asda spokesperson said: “While we are disappointed that the GMB has taken this course of action, we can reassure customers that we have processes in place to minimize any disruption as a result of industrial action by the GMB at our Lowestoft store.
“We have taken practical steps in Lowestoft to address the points raised by the GMB and will continue to engage with their representatives with the aim of reaching an amicable solution for all parties.”
