Workers at the Asda Wisbech store, as well as at the Amazon Coventry and Birmingham depots, are set to strike this month, the GMB union has announced.
Staff at the Asda Wisbech store will strike from 00:01 Friday, March 29 until 23:59 Saturday, March 30, with around 170 members reportedly set to down tools.
Amazon Coventry workers will strike on Tuesday, March 19 and Wednesday, March 20, while members at the Birmingham depot will walk out on Wednesday, 27 March and Thursday, 28 March.
Second Asda store strike
Industrial action at Wisbech will mark the second Asda store that has opted to strike, following the strike at Gosport in February.
The union claimed over 100 members walked out during the first strike – although Asda has disputed this, claiming fewer than 50 members went on strike.
GMB said the latest strike has been caused by “cuts to hours and an increase in a bullying management culture”. Regional organiser Keith Dixon added that workers also face “non-existent training, toxic management and multiple health, safety and fire failings.”
An Asda spokesperson said in a statement: “Although we are disappointed by the GMB’s decision to proceed with this course of action, we will continue to engage with them and listen to their concerns.
“While any potential disruption to colleagues and customers is unwelcome, we have comprehensive plans in place to minimise any disruption in the event of industrial action.”
Disputed union rights at Amazon
Meanwhile, the ongoing dispute between GMB and Amazon has deepened as two Amazon sites continue to strike.
Workers at Coventry have been striking for over a year, while members at Birmingham started their strike action in January.
The announcement of additional strike dates arrived after GMB members submitted an application for mandatory recognition at Amazon to the Central Arbitration Committee (CAC), a government body responsible for regulating collective bargaining between workers and employers.
GMB organiser Rachel Fagan said: “Fresh strike action will be a huge blow to Amazon bosses, just days after workers made their bid for union recognition.
“Now two Amazon sites will take strike action this spring to force the company to listen to workers.
“Amazon bosses may have hoped this campaign would fade away, but instead union membership at Amazon has exploded as more and more workers are standing up to demand that Amazon listens.
“When Amazon are ready to listen, the message they’ll hear is simple: £15 an hour and union rights for UK Amazon workers.”
An Amazon spokesperson said: ”We regularly review our pay to ensure we offer competitive wages and benefits. By April, our minimum starting pay will have increased to £12.30 and £13 per hour depending on location, that’s a 20% increase over two years and 50% since 2018.
”We also work hard to provide great benefits, a positive work environment and excellent career opportunities. These are just some of the reasons people want to come and work at Amazon, whether it’s their first job, a seasonal role or an opportunity for them to advance their career.”
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