An impending strike at Asda’s Gosport superstore has been postponed to allow for last-ditch talks to take place.
The GMB trade union said on Friday that up to 100 employees are set to walk out on 15th January, with additional dates scheduled for 29th January and 11th February.
It added that it is hoping the talks will address the numerous issues in store, which Asda employees said have created a “toxic atmosphere”.
GMB sent the supermarket a dossier of 21 problems last month, which included claims that fire safety exits had been blocked by rubbish and stock, compromising safety, and that accidents and workplace incidents were “not taken seriously”.
The union’s regional organiser Nicola Nixon said: “We are pleased that Asda management are taking our members’ views seriously, but saddened that it took the very real threat of industrial action to bring them to the table for serious talks.
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“Our members are very clear that they will not hesitate to come out on strike on 15 January and into February unless they receive definite commitments that this toxic atmosphere will be brought to an end.
“While it is ultimately the members who will decide if they are satisfied and they who will decide when the dispute ends, Asda need to come to these last-ditch talks with the sole aim of resolving the issues at hand.”
The supermarket signed an agreement with retail trade union Usdaw on Thursday for the firm to “recruit and represent” hourly paid staff working in former EG Group convenience stores and restaurants that the grocer bought from EG Group in October.
The new agreement covers Euro Garages and Leon Restaurants, and will see Usdaw negotiate on pay, hours and holidays for hourly paid staff across the 356 convenience stores and 77 Leon restaurants in the UK.
Asda chief people and corporate affairs officer Hayley Tatum said: “We respect the important role trade unions play in representing our valued colleagues.
“As Usdaw already represents the 2,300 colleagues in the convenience stores we acquired from the Co-op Group, it is a natural progression to recognise them as our partner for the sites we have acquired from EG Group.
“We look forward to working collaboratively with them to deliver positive outcomes for colleagues in this important and growing area of our business.”
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