Asda workers announce 48-hour strike action

Member of GMB Union at the Asda supermarket will walk out for 48 hours in May

Workers at a supermarket have announced they will strike for 48 hours next month over reported "falling standards".

About 122 workers at Asda in Lowestoft, Suffolk, will walk out from 00:01 BST on Friday 10 May until 23:59 on Saturday 11 May, after union members voted in favour of strikes.

Keith Dixon, the GMB regional organiser, said "Asda workers have had enough" and were angry over a number of alleged issues.

A spokesperson for Asda said it had "comprehensive plans in place to minimise disruption".

'Poor training'

According to GMB, workers have been angered over a series of issues including cuts to hours, poor quality training, alleged bullying and fire safety breaches.

"GMB members used to be proud to work for Asda, but this once great supermarket is being driven into the ground," Mr Dixon said.

"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 said it had "worked collaboratively" with union representatives to address the issues raised and were "disappointed" in the vote result.

"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," the Asda spokesperson added.

The supermarket on Belvedere Road off Horn Hill will become the third Asda to face a strike after workers in Gosport, Hampshire, and Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, walked out in recent weeks.

Asda workers in Brighton Hollingbury also recently voted to strike but, according to an spokesperson for the supermarket, they will not move forward with the action.