Asda has denied claims that its stores and customers are at risk, despite more than 300 of its store security guards facing potential redundancy from Mitie.
In January, Asda outsourced security for its supermarkets, Living and Express stores to Mitie, with more than 2,000 security guards transferring to the outsourcer under a TUPE transfer.
However, this week it was revealed that Mitie had begun consulting over proposed changes to working hours, which could lead to more than 300 of those workers losing their jobs.
Trade union GMB has branded the process “shambolic” and argued that it puts stores and customers at risk. It also argues that the consultation – which wraps up on 24 July – is too short to “allow meaningful engagement and that security officers have been given incorrect information about the process.”
Both Mitie and Asda deny this and instead insist that the consultation is about changing working patterns in stores to ensure that higher-risk stores have more cover. It would not lead to a reduction in roles, they said.
“Following this consultation, the overall number of security officers deployed across Asda stores will not be reduced,” a Mitie spokeswoman said.
“We have more roles available than colleagues affected by the consultation and are currently recruiting for over 600 security roles on the Asda contract with SIA-accredited relief guards and preferred supplier agency guards being used to ensure stores are covered.”
Mitie is contractually obliged to provide 1,960 security roles to Asda under the long-term contract, The Grocer understands. Any guard who refuses to change working patterns will be offered a role elsewhere on other Mitie contracts where possible, the outsourcer said.
“The consultation looks at proposed changes to certain security roles relating to working patterns, including aligning shifts to store risk profiles, and in some cases time and store locations. This is designed to strengthen store protection for customers and colleagues and ensure security resources are where they are needed most,” the spokeswoman added.
Workers fear increases in violence and abuse
It is not the first time that unions have warned that the process could put Asda stores at risk. GMB Scotland warned in March that its members feared that levels of crime and abuse would increase as a result of the transfer.
According to a poll of 100 of the union’s Scottish members affected by the TUPE transfer, over half (56%) believed that violence and abuse had “worsened dramatically” over the past 12 months – 76% believed their job was now more dangerous than when they started. A further 53% said they felt unsupported by Asda and Mitie during the process.
Asda has previously said that the figures justified the Mitie partnership, which it said would strengthen in-store security.
“To be clear, there will be no reduction in the number of guarding roles at Asda as a result of this consultation,” an Asda spokesman said on the ongoing consultation.
“Mitie is contractually obliged to provide security services across our store estate and that arrangement remains unchanged, which is why they are actively recruiting 660 guards to fulfil roles currently being covered by SIA-accredited agency staff,” he added. “For any store, this means they’ll continue to receive security support based on their individual risk profile, making sure the right protection is in place for our colleagues and customers.”
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