// Asda is facing the prospect of strike action unless it makes significant concessions on its major shake-up of its store operations, which has put 300 roles at risk & reduced pay for over 4,000 night workers
// The source said a significant proportion of staff were expected to take redundancy under the current plans
Asda could face potential strike action unless it makes significant concessions on its “efficiency” plans, which have put thousands of jobs at risk.
The supermarket unveiled a major shake-up of its store operations yesterday, putting close to 300 roles at risk and reducing pay for over 4,000 night workers.
A union source told Sky News there is now a risk of strikes. GMB representatives met late on Thursday, hours after the grocer proposed to move some overnight restocking shifts at 184 stores to the daytime, placing 211 night shift manager roles at risk.
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Asda said its planned changes reflected shifting customer habits and a desire to operate as efficiently as possible.
The GMB has declared the plans as “unworkable”, arguing that many of those being asked to change hours would be unable to take the pay hit amid the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
The union also said it placed additional logistical difficulties on staff as the revised shifts would finish at midnight.
The source told Sky that a significant proportion were expected to take redundancy under the plans as they stand.
But they said there would be a constructive approach to the official consultation period and talks would aim to secure concessions from management to avoid the prospect of any strike ballot.
National officer Nadine Houghton said: “Many Asda workers feel this is just a cost cutting measure, needed to alleviate the financial pressure of the debt leveraged bonanza to buy Asda – but it’s going to hit some of the lowest paid retail workers on the high street.
“These changes to night-time replenishment have outraged night workers, who will now lose between £300 and £500 a month.
“Many say they will not be able to afford to take the new hours being offered due to the loss of night enhancements and hours. We could see significant job losses.”
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