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Asda Faces Third Strike At Lowestoft Store
https://www.whatjobs.com/news/united-kingdom/uk-employment-news/asda-faces-third-strike-at-lowestoft-store
By Nagasunder in Business News, posted March 27, 2024
Asda workers at its Lowestoft store have overwhelmingly voted to go on strike, the GMB Union said.
They are dissatisfied with reduced working hours, substandard training, and managerial misconduct.
The union said 87 percent of its nearly 200 staff at the store backed the strike call, with an 80 percent turnout.
Strike dates are expected to be announced soon.
The GMB Union said workers were discontent over unaddressed health and safety issues.
There are also concerns over fire safety violations, delays in addressing equal pay disputes, and a lack of collective bargaining rights.
“Asda’s owners are not investing in stores and workers are paying the price"
This forthcoming strike at Lowestoft marks the third instance of industrial action in Asda stores.
It follows recent strikes at Wisbech over the Easter weekend and at Gosport in February.
GMB regional organiser Keith Dixon said: “Asda’s owners are not investing in stores and workers are paying the price.
“The evidence is clear; thousands of health and safety breaches, including blocked fire exits, fire routes, and fire extinguishers, along with faulty fire alarm systems.
“At the same time workers face cuts to their hours and inadequate training.”
He continued: “They’ve had enough and are walking out to make sure Asda listens.
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“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 value feedback from our colleagues and have worked collaboratively with the GMB representatives in Lowestoft to address the points raised.
“While we are disappointed by the outcome of the ballot, we will continue to engage with GMB representatives to try and reach an amicable solution.”
“It is important to note that fewer than 50% of colleagues at the Lowestoft store have said they would support industrial action, and we can reassure colleagues and customers that we have comprehensive plans in place to minimise disruption in the event of industrial action at the store.”
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