Asda warehouse workers and drivers have voted in favour of strike action in protest at a proposed pay deal from the firm which would see staff lose an element of sick pay.
GMB balloted their 8,000 GMB members working in driver, warehouse and clerical roles and found that 95% of those who voted said they were willing to take industrial action over a real terms pay cut.
The deal would see workers lose sick pay entitlement – including the first three days of paid sick pay in any sickness absence and the last 13 to 26 weeks of sick pay
The sick pay scheme was introduced in 2012 when Asda distribution workers were at increased risk of workplace stress and musco-skeletal issues due to higher pick rates.
GMB will now meet with members to discuss the next steps.
Nadine Houghton, GMB national officer, said: “This ballot result shows how angry Asda workers are. They’re being asked to swallow a real terms pay cut while Asda’s top brass give themselves a hefty pay rise. There’s no way these keyworkers should be forced into self-funding their own pay rise via cuts to their sick pay.”
