Asda is facing a strike vote at a fifth supermarket as members of the GMB union at its Lowestoft store are set to be balloted.
The union claimed that a consultative ballot of almost 200 of the union’s members working at the store revealed almost 90% were ready to strike, on a turnout of just below 80%.
GMB said it would notify Asda this week of the impending ballot, with the vote set to start next week.
It claimed staff were “angry” at a series of issues including “cuts in hours, poor quality training, bullying management and health and safety issues not being addressed”.
Additionally, it flagged fire safety breaches, equal pay not being resolved in a timely manner and the fact workers had no collective bargaining with the GMB.
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GMB regional organiser Keith Dixon said: “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.”
He continued: “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.”
An Asda spokesperson said: “We have established processes in place for colleagues to raise any issues or concerns they may have and we have not received any formal complaints at the Lowestoft store relating to the claims made by the GMB.
“Providing a safe working environment is of paramount importance to us and if colleagues have any safety-related concerns we would ask these are brought to the attention of a manager immediately so they can be investigated and promptly resolved.”
The news comes after Asda faced industrial action at its Gosport, Wisbech and Brighton’s Hollingbury and Marina shops.
Union members at its Wisbech, Brighton Hollingbury, and Brighton Marina shops are set to vote on whether to take industrial action, with the ballots running from 16 February to 5 March.
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