// Asda faces backlash for offering its female shop staff a smaller pay rise than male staff
// An increased hourly rate highlighted differences between those working in stores and in distribution centres
Asda has been criticised for offering its female shop staff a smaller pay rise than male colleagues.
The GMB Scotland union has hit out after an increased hourly rate highlighted differences between people who work in stores and in distribution centres.
At the start of April, Asda’s retail staff – mostly women – were given a 3.6% increase in pay, taking them to £9.66 an hour.
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However, warehouse workers who are predominantly men, are continuing to negotiate their pay rise and have just rejected an offer of between 6.5% and 7.5% that would have taken their wages up to £11.98 an hour.
The GMB said this offer will widen a gender pay gap which has already seen the supermarket in the midst of a legal battle, with female workers claiming they are paid less than their male colleagues.
GMB Scotland organiser Robert Deavy said: “Asda retail staff are being exploited and undervalued every hour of every working day. Tens of thousands of working women are being paid less than a tenner an hour for their basic rate of pay – up to £3 an hour less than their male equivalents in distribution.
“Asda need to value their workers properly with a pay increase that tackles soaring inflation and they need to take full responsibility for their chronic sex discrimination by settling their equal pay liabilities, which could easily run into billions of pounds.”
Asda said: “Retail and distribution are separate and distinct market sectors and the demands of jobs in stores and depots are very different.
“We pay colleagues the market rate in each sector regardless of gender.”
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