Members of the GMB union in a fourth Asda supermarket have voted to take industrial action. Meanwhile, the Asda Lowestoft store has announced strike dates in May.
Asda workers at Brighton Hollingbury have voted to strike – after voting against industrial action last month.
It is understood that out of 350 colleagues, only 64 took part in a ballot on strike action at Hollingbury. Staff at the Brighton Marina store have voted against industrial action for the second time.
The GMB says the dispute revolves around a “number of concerns raised by members in the store”, such as health and safety issues and management bullying.
The Asda strike committee will meet next week to decide on next steps.
This is the fourth Asda store to strike, following action at Gosport in Hampshire, Wisbech in Cambridgeshire, and Lowestoft in Suffolk, the latter of which will walk out for the first time for 48 hours from 00:01 on May 10 until 23:59 May 11.
GMB regional organiser Keith Dixon said: “GMB members used to be proud to work for Asda, but this once great supermarket is being driven into the ground.
“Standards across stores are falling – there are thousands of health and safety breaches, including blocked fire exits, fire routes, and fire extinguishers, along with faulty fire alarm systems.
“Asda workers have had enough and are flexing their industrial muscle to make bosses do something about it.”
An Asda spokesperson said: “While we are disappointed that the GMB has taken this course of action, we can reassure customers that we have processes in place to minimise any disruption as a result of industrial action by the GMB at our Lowestoft store.
“We have taken practical steps in Lowestoft to address the points raised by the GMB and will continue to engage with their representatives with the aim of reaching an amicable solution for all parties.”
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