Strike action at Asda’s Gosport superstore has been postponed for the third time to allow for further talks between GMB Union and the grocery giant.
Following discussions chaired by Acas yesterday, Asda and GMB revealed the walkout had been temporarily suspended “to allow a ballot of GMB members on the proposals put forward by Asda”.
Up to 100 staff members were expected to strike from 19 to 21 January, to address problems in stores as the union claims members describe it as a “toxic atmosphere”.
GMB sent the supermarket a document detailing 21 issues in the Gosport store last month, including claims fire safety exits had been blocked by rubbish and stock, and that accidents and workplace incidents were “not taken seriously”.
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The news comes as Asda has been trialling a range of flexible working patterns for managers in 20 stores, including a four-day working week for the same pay and benefits.
Last week, Asda’s private equity owners, TDR Capital, were also grilled by MPs over the supermarket’s debt pile, a lack of transparency and workers’ rights at a Business and Trade select committee hearing.
Top bosses at the private equity firm were called in front of MPs to examine whether there was a “debt bomb” forming under the UK high street because of the private equity business model.
However, TDR managing partner Gary Lindsay downplayed concerns over the £4.2bn of debt that the supermarket holds in a higher interest rate environment.
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