Union confirms strike dates at Asda Brighton supermarket

The GMB union said more than 100 workers are set to take industrial action over a “litany of workplace problems”.

Members will strike from 8pm on Friday, May 24 until 3pm on Saturday, May 25. 

GMB said workers are angry over issues including “cuts in hours, poor-quality training, health and safety issues not being addressed, pressured work rates, payroll issues and incorrect pay, equal pay not resolved in a timely manner, and no collective bargaining with GMB”.

Staff at three other Asda stores have previously walked out over similar issues, including Gosport in Hampshire, Wisbech in Cambridgeshire and Lowestoft in Suffolk.

GMB regional organiser Declan MacIntyre said other stores across the South East have voted “overwhelmingly” to be balloted formally. He warned that formal industrial action ballots “may well follow next”.

He added: “Asda management would do well to listen to their own staff and seek to address this dossier of issues before further disruption is caused to their loyal customers.

“GMB has grave concerns that Asda’s financial backers TDR Capital are being too distracted by the debts of their other assets – including Stonegate pub group – to be interested in properly financing Asda.

“Our members are clear that Asda needs to provide more staff hours to the Hollingbury superstore to help prevent existing staff being overworked and put at unnecessary risk of a health and safety catastrophe.”

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 minimise any disruption as a result of industrial action at the Brighton Hollingbury store.

”The GMB represent a minority of colleagues at this store and not all of these voted for industrial action. Furthermore, the GMB’s recent industrial action ballot at the Brighton Marina store was unsuccessful.

“Despite repeated requests, we are yet to receive evidence of all of the claims raised by the GMB, however we will continue to engage with their representatives with the aim of reaching an amicable solution for all parties.”