Both Morrisons and Asda face strikes this week amid a slew of industrial action across the industry over working conditions, pay and pensions.
Ongoing strikes at Asda and Amazon has resulted in a domino effect with workers at additional locations now considering stepping up industrial action.
Retail Gazette looks at the retailers that are being hit by strikes this year.
Asda
Strike action has been brewing across various Asda branches this year, with its Gosport superstore the first in the supermarket’s history to see staff walk out back in February.
GMB Union has sent the grocer what it termed a “litany of grievances” from its supermarket workers, including claims of wage errors, pressure to work extra shifts, and “numerous fire safety complaints”.
However, Asda insists the claims – and accusations of bullying in stores – were “unsubstantiated” and said that it had repeatedly asked GMB to provide evidence as it had not yet received it.
Since then, strikes have been held at the supermarket’s Wisbech store in Cambridgeshire over the Easter weekend, its Lowestoft shop in Suffolk earlier this month, and is set to take place at its Brighton Hollingbury superstore later this week.
Workers at the supermarket’s Brighton Marina store have also been balloted for industrial action, although employees voted not to strike.
Morrisons
Earlier this month, Morrisons staff members at two of its UK distribution hubs voted to take strike action in a dispute over their pensions.
Members of Unite Union working at the retailer’s Gadbrook and Westfield warehouses voted “overwhelmingly in favour” for the two three day walkouts.
The first strike will take place from 5am on 23 May until 5am on 26 May, with the second strike dates set for 13-15 June.
The union claims that changes to Morrisons pensions would leave staff around £500 worse off a year and include other changes such as the loss of a service award, which would result in staff being “significantly worse off” in their pay packets.
Unite is also objecting against other changes including adopting a “new unpopular pick rate” – the speed in which warehouse products are packaged – and enforced changes to jobs roles.
Amazon
Amazon workers have been striking for over a year now following a dispute over pay and working conditions.
Employees at the ecommerce giant’s Coventry distribution centre first voted to strike back in December 2022, walking out the following month in anger over a 50p-per-hour pay rise offer.
Over 1,000 workers at the Coventry warehouse took part in a worldwide walkout during last year’s Black Friday weekend, in what was the biggest ever day of action against Amazon.
Warehouse workers at the online giant’s new Birmingham site voted to join ongoing strikes over pay and working conditions in January, despite only opening three months earlier.
Amazon said that from April 2024, its minimum starting pay will have increased to £12.30 and £13 per hour depending on location, a 20% increase over two years and 50% since 2018.
“Make Amazon pay!”
Massive turnout in support of the Coventry Amazon Union this morning.@GMB_union @GMBMidlands @GMBunionAmazon #AmazonUnion pic.twitter.com/SopLdBAgfp
— Matthew Cole (@MattColeWorks) April 18, 2023
GXO
GXO lorry drivers delivering B&Q products to stores went on a two day strike in March in a dispute over pay.
Over 90 of the transport team’s workers at the GXO distribution centre in Swindon, which is contracted by the DIY retailer, downed tools on the afternoon of 19 March.
The staff claimed they were being paid roughly £4,000 less than workers in its Doncaster site who carry out the same role.
However, GXO told The Swindon Advertiser that the two sites are not comparable.
The action came after more than one hundred workers at the centre voted to take industrial action earlier in the month.
Shopworker union Usdaw explained the vote came after GXO’s offer of a 5.25% pay rise, with some investment in an attendance bonus and a damage bonus, was rejected. However, GXO has put forward an “enhanced offer” to workers.
GXO said the industrial action did not cause any disruption to B&Q stores.
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