Asda workers across the UK are preparing to vote on strike action after unions accused the chain of refusing to offer a “meaningful” pay rise to workers for their efforts during the pandemic.
The GMB said it was launching a consultative ballot - due to close on December 20 - over a pay increase for distribution staff, following in the footsteps of rival chain Tesco who have increased pay for workers in their distribution centres.
The union said that with inflation rising, the situation was a "kick in the teeth" for its key workers and if staff vote in favour of the strike action, trading is likely to be disrupted until 2022.
Nadine Houghton, GMB national officer, said: " Asda workers turned up throughout the COVID pandemic risking their lives to keep the nation fed - as well as helping the company turn a profit of almost £500m.
"Staff who saw colleagues lose their lives to COVID are not having their legitimate demands for a pay rise treated seriously.
"Asda now say GMB members' pay claim is 'unaffordable' and yet their hard work and sacrifice helped directors trouser almost £10m between them.
"It's a disgrace - we urge Asda workers to fight for what they deserve and vote YES for a ballot for industrial action."
An Asda spokesperson responded: “The GMB has recently made an additional pay claim on top of a two-year deal which was agreed with them in May.
"As our annual pay negotiations have just begun and discussions are ongoing, any talk of industrial action is premature.
"In addition, we have responded to the driver shortage by offering all of our existing HGV drivers a £1000 one-off discretionary incentive retention payment."
