Asda workers at its Lowestoft store are set to walk out for the second time in a dispute over working conditions.
GMB Union confirmed that more than 170 employees at the superstore in East Suffolk will go on strike from 3am to 10pm on 9 August after claiming the grocer’s management had been “burying their heads in the sand”.
It said the employees were angry over cuts in hours, poor quality training, bullying management, fire safety breaches, as well as health and safety issues not being addressed.
It also claimed that Asda workers were upset over equal pay not being resolved in a timely manner and no collective bargaining with the GMB.
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GMB regional organiser Keith Dixon said: “Asda Lowestoft bosses know full well why workers are frustrated. They’ve met with GMB several times, but they seem to be burying their heads in the sand.
“Not a single point of concern has been addressed by Asda during these meetings – suggestions from GMB have been blanked.
“Management seems to want to ignore these problems and hope they go away. They won’t. Now, Asda Lowestoft workers are walking out once again.”
An Asda spokesperson denied the claims and said the business was investing an additional £30m during the remainder of the year to improve the in-store experience. “This includes putting extra hours into store to help colleagues provide an even better service to customers,” they said.
The spokesperson continued: “We strongly reject the GMB’s claim that no action has been taken. We have taken proactive steps over several weeks, meeting regularly to listen to concerns and to respond to the points the GMB have put to us regarding the Lowestoft store.
“We have robust contingency plans in place and can reassure customers the store will be open as normal, should this industrial action go ahead.”
Earlier this week, GMB announced that over 150 workers at the supermarket’s Wisbech store would walk out for the second time next week.
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