Asda faces thousands of court cases if negotiations with the GMB over staff contracts break down. The supermarket recently changed the contracts of 18,000 long-serving staff to bring their hourly wage rate and conditions into line with the majority of shopfloor workers employed after 2001 on 'new world' contracts. Negotiations to change the 'old world' contracts have been ongoing since February, but 7,000 workers were still refusing to budge by the time the big change-over happened last week. Although the new contracts offer a higher hourly wage, they scrap workers' rights to double-time and time-and-a-half pay and days in lieu of bank holidays. "We are involved in complex and difficult talks about the new world contracts," said Gary Smith, national secretary of the GMB. "Asda has moved some way on its original position, but we have not reached any collective agreement. A number of people have registered grievances and, at the end of the negotiation process, if individuals still have not agreed contract terms, we will consider legal action." Smith said each case would be heard on an individual basis, because contracts were not standard across the board. Asda was confident positive negotiations would continue and that all issues could be resolved. "No-one will be worse off on the new contract and we can work to resolve any concerns," said an Asda spokeswoman. "We have already made concessions and the GMB has recognised this. "We are moving all colleagues to the top-rate contract to create a single pay structure so that everyone is paid the same rate for doing the same job." Meanwhile, the GMB said negotiations with Asda over working conditions for distribution staff were progressing well and nearing the final stages. The two parties have been working together to resolve issues highlighted in an independent ergonomics study, commissioned by the union, at Asda's Wigan depot. The GMB said the report confirmed higher pick-rate targets introduced with new voice-pick technology placed too much strain on staff.

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