GMB Union criticises Asda for falling ‘further behind’ Big Four wages after Sainsbury’s pay boost

Long waiting times let Asda's customer service down

Union has also called on Asda bosses to provide free food to colleagues while they are on shift

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GMB union criticised Asda for “falling even further behind competitors on wages” this week, after Sainsburys announced yet another pay boost.

Sainsbury’s, a fellow ‘Big Four’ supermarket retailer, announced workers would get at least £11 per hour from February*.

Meanwhile, Asda retail workers will receive £10.10 per hour, which GMB slammed as “the lowest paid of the Big Four and one of the lowest paying retailers overall”.

In a press statement, GMB said it had been campaigning for Asda to increase pay to £11.50 per hour, but claimed that “so far the supermarket has refused to listen”.

The union has also called on Asda bosses to provide free food to colleagues while they are on shift during this unprecedented cost of living crisis, something Asda has not yet agreed to do.

“If it’s good enough for Sainsburys workers why is it not good enough for Asda workers?” asked Nadine Houghton, GMB National Officer.

“Asda is an outlier in the retail industry, because it refuses to negotiate with its union on wages – unlike other retailers,” Houghton added. “That’s why they keep getting it wrong on pay – because they aren’t listening to its workers and instead agree the pay rates in an echo chamber.”

However, Asda said during the last year it had provided two separate increases worth a total of 8% for hourly paid staff. According to trade publication, The Grocery Gazette, the retailer is reportedly engaging with labour union Usdaw to find a resolution to the matter.

“We have increased retail colleague pay twice during the last 12 months and will confirm our new pay rates for 2023 to colleagues during Q1, following the outcome of negotiations with Usdaw where we have a pay bargaining agreement,” a spokesperson for Asda said.

*(Source:  Sainsbury’s makes biggest ever pay boost to £11ph; total investment tops £205m – Sainsbury’s – sainsburys.co.uk)

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