Suffolk store becomes fifth Asda to face industrial
action by GMB members
Asda’s Lowestoft store faces a strike vote after workers said
they were ready for industrial action.
A consultative ballot of nearly 200 GMB members at the store
showed almost 90 per cent were ready to strike, on a turnout of
just under 80 per cent.
GMB union will notify the company this week, with the strike vote
likely to begin the week after.
Workers are angry at 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 resolved in a timely manner
- No collective bargaining with GMB
Lowestoft becomes the fifth Asda to face industrial action after
industrial action at Gosport and strike votes at Wisbech and
Brighton’s Hollingbury and Marina stores.
Keith Dixon, GMB Regional Organiser, 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.
“Meanwhile workers face cuts to their hours and inadequate
training - they’ve had enough.
“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.”
