‘Last-ditch’ talks take place at Asda to prevent strike action by GMB Union

Industrial action at the Gosport Superstore will now be commencing on 15 January, according to GMB, with additional dates also added going into February 

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The first three days of a historic first strike at a UK Asda superstore have been suspended to allow “last-ditch” talks to take place between the employer and the union, according to GMB, the union that represents Asda colleagues.

Up to 100 workers at the Gosport superstore are now set to walk out from Monday, 15 January, with additional dates having been scheduled for Monday, 29 January to Sunday, 11 February, GMB has revealed.

The union is hoping that talks will address the issues in-store, which it says members are describing as creating a ‘toxic atmosphere.’

At a national level, MPs have been grilling Asda bosses including company co-owner Mohsin Issa at the Business & Trades Select Committee after GMB allegedly identified a £2 billion hole in its accounts, while £2 billion has been declared as dividends.

“We are pleased that Asda management are taking our members’ views seriously, but saddened that it took the very real threat of industrial action to bring them to the table for serious talks,” said Nicola Nixon, GMB regional organiser.

“Our members are very clear that they will not hesitate to come out on strike on 15 January and into February unless they receive definite commitments that this toxic atmosphere will be brought to an end.

“While it is ultimately the members who will decide if they are satisfied and they who will decide when the dispute ends, Asda need to come to these last-ditch talks with the sole aim of resolving the issues at hand,” Nixon added.

Meanwhile, Asda has also been in talks with the union Usdaw, which announced earlier this week that a recognition agreement had been signed for the union to “recruit and represent” the retailer’s c-store and restaurant staff.

The new agreement, which applies to Euro Garages and Leon Restaurants, will see Usdaw negotiate on pay, hours and holidays for hourly paid staff across the UK’s Asda-owned 356 convenience stores and 77 Leon restaurants.

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