Managers working in Asda’s distribution centres are to vote on whether they want union voice recognition following a decision from the Central Arbitration Committee.
More than 1,000 salaried employees working in 23 depots across the UK will take part in a ballot on whether they want GMB to be their recognised union.
The GMB said the CAC granted the ballot after the union provided a petition showing more than 60% of workers backed the move.
“A clear majority of the workforce want GMB to be their collective union voice at work – now they will have a chance to vote in a full ballot,” said GMB national officer Nadine Houghton.
The vote comes amid rising tensions between Asda and the union.
Yesterday, Asda slammed GMB claims its store workers were among the lowest-paid supermarket workers in the UK, even after their latest pay rise.
The GMB union claimed that despite hourly pay at the retail giant going up to £12.45 per hour from 6 July, Asda staff were still lagging behind workers at Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Aldi and Lidl.
Asda said it had invested more than £500m in retail pay since 2021, including £80m in the current year, but union bosses insist staff have seen worsening conditions since the takeover by private equity owners TDR Capital.
“If the vote is for recognition, GMB will negotiate directly with company bosses over pay, terms and conditions – things which have been significantly eroded since Asda was brought out and asset stripped by private equity owners,” added Houghton.
“Since being granted the vote, Asda has attempted to stymie support for the union by offering a pay rise and other concessions.
“But workers know this was only achieved because they started to organise into the GMB.
“Union recognition is about winning improvements now and for years to come while protecting what is achieved.”
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