Menu
21/06/2006
Asda staff vote for strike
Thousands of staff working in distribution depots for supermarket chain Asda have voted in favour of strike action by 3 to 1, the GMB union has announced.
GMB's Asda Wal-Mart Shop Stewards National Council and GMB local and national officials are now due to meet on Thursday in Manchester to consider the ballot result and set dates and times for a programme of industrial action.
The union members who were balloted work as HGV drivers and warehouse picker and loaders at 20 Asda distribution depots, including Bedford, Chepstow, Dartford, Didcot, Erith, Falkirk, Grangemouth, Ince George in Wigan, Lymedale Staffordshire, Lutterworth in Leicestershire, Portbury in Bristol, Skelmersdale, Teesport, ADC Wigan, Wakefield and Washington.
The workers want to see the establishment of proper national bargaining structures between the company and the GMB, covering pay, conditions and union facilities in all the depots.
Paul Kenny, GMB General Secretary said: "GMB members in the 20 Asda Wal-Mart distribution depots have spoken. They have voted by three to one to take strike action despite all of the company's attempts to dissuade or intimidate them to vote no. GMB members have been subjected to unprecedented interference and propaganda by Asda Wal-Mart. This ballot result shows that it is time for Asda Wal-Mart to wake up and smell the coffee.
"GMB members tell us that the company is gearing up and may illegally attempt to use agency labour to do our members jobs. This is what is behind the company statement that in the event of industrial action the customers will not notice a thing.
"Using agency labour during an official trade dispute is illegal and GMB will not allow Asda Wal-Mart to run a coach and horses through UK labour law.
"Any attempt by outside agencies to interfere or undermine this lawful industrial action by GMB members will be responded to with full vigour."
(KMcA/SP)
GMB's Asda Wal-Mart Shop Stewards National Council and GMB local and national officials are now due to meet on Thursday in Manchester to consider the ballot result and set dates and times for a programme of industrial action.
The union members who were balloted work as HGV drivers and warehouse picker and loaders at 20 Asda distribution depots, including Bedford, Chepstow, Dartford, Didcot, Erith, Falkirk, Grangemouth, Ince George in Wigan, Lymedale Staffordshire, Lutterworth in Leicestershire, Portbury in Bristol, Skelmersdale, Teesport, ADC Wigan, Wakefield and Washington.
The workers want to see the establishment of proper national bargaining structures between the company and the GMB, covering pay, conditions and union facilities in all the depots.
Paul Kenny, GMB General Secretary said: "GMB members in the 20 Asda Wal-Mart distribution depots have spoken. They have voted by three to one to take strike action despite all of the company's attempts to dissuade or intimidate them to vote no. GMB members have been subjected to unprecedented interference and propaganda by Asda Wal-Mart. This ballot result shows that it is time for Asda Wal-Mart to wake up and smell the coffee.
"GMB members tell us that the company is gearing up and may illegally attempt to use agency labour to do our members jobs. This is what is behind the company statement that in the event of industrial action the customers will not notice a thing.
"Using agency labour during an official trade dispute is illegal and GMB will not allow Asda Wal-Mart to run a coach and horses through UK labour law.
"Any attempt by outside agencies to interfere or undermine this lawful industrial action by GMB members will be responded to with full vigour."
(KMcA/SP)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
27 July 2005
Staff strike at Asda distribution centre
Staff at Asda's Washington supermarket distribution centre in Tyne and Wear have begun a three-day strike action today. Around 500 members of the GMB union who are employed in the ASDA Washington distribution depot voted overwhelmingly to take strike action last week.
Staff strike at Asda distribution centre
Staff at Asda's Washington supermarket distribution centre in Tyne and Wear have begun a three-day strike action today. Around 500 members of the GMB union who are employed in the ASDA Washington distribution depot voted overwhelmingly to take strike action last week.
22 June 2006
Five-day strike for Asda workers
Thousands of Asda workers are set to hold a five-day strike from June 30 in a pay dispute.
Five-day strike for Asda workers
Thousands of Asda workers are set to hold a five-day strike from June 30 in a pay dispute.
29 June 2006
Union calls off Asda strike
A planned five-day strike by thousands of workers at Asda distribution depots has been called off. The announcement comes following talks between the supermarket and the GMB union over a long-running dispute over pay, health and safety and national bargaining.
Union calls off Asda strike
A planned five-day strike by thousands of workers at Asda distribution depots has been called off. The announcement comes following talks between the supermarket and the GMB union over a long-running dispute over pay, health and safety and national bargaining.
07 November 2005
Gas engineers vote on strike action
More than 5,000 British Gas engineers are to be balloted on strike action in a row over pensions. The GMB union said that 5,500 of its members would be balloted in the run-up to Christmas over plans to close the firm’s final salary pension scheme to new employees from April 2006.
Gas engineers vote on strike action
More than 5,000 British Gas engineers are to be balloted on strike action in a row over pensions. The GMB union said that 5,500 of its members would be balloted in the run-up to Christmas over plans to close the firm’s final salary pension scheme to new employees from April 2006.
07 April 2014
Asda To Create 12,000 Jobs Over Five Years
Asda is to create up to 12,000 jobs over the next five years. Doug McMillon, President and CEO of Walmart, made the announcement with the Rt. Hon. David Cameron MP at Asda's Clapham Junction store in London. Mr McMillon showed Mr Cameron around the London store, which is one of 577 Asda stores in the UK.
Asda To Create 12,000 Jobs Over Five Years
Asda is to create up to 12,000 jobs over the next five years. Doug McMillon, President and CEO of Walmart, made the announcement with the Rt. Hon. David Cameron MP at Asda's Clapham Junction store in London. Mr McMillon showed Mr Cameron around the London store, which is one of 577 Asda stores in the UK.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Very windy with persistent and occasionally heavy rain at first, becoming drier with the wind easing towards midday. Mainly dry with bright spells increasing during the afternoon. Milder than of late. Maximum temperature 14 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with clear spells, mainly dry evening becoming windy with rain at times from late evening. Turning drier with clear spells towards morning. Milder than of late. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
