Asda warehouse workers vote on which manufacturing procedures to strike with. Hundreds of hundreds of employees will vote today after unions rejected a wage deal that would have looked better on offer but lowered sickness costs. The advisory vote can lead to another vote on the implementation of industrial processes.
Seniors initially offered the deal to increase employee compensation at the expense of sickness benefit, including the first three days of sickness-free sickness payments and the last 13-26 weeks of sickness payments. In February, employees refused to raise the basic percentage for warehouse employees and clerks, which ranges from 4.98% to 6.10% and 6.49% to 7.53% for transportation employees.
ASA offered warehouse workers and workers wages up to 7.49% and transport workers wages of 8.31%.
At the same time, he plans to increase funding by reducing sick pay, which he says will “link this to policies in the retail sector.”
According to the GMB, as a result of the changes, workers will lose their wages in the first three days of sick leave and in the last 13 to 26 weeks of illness.
The vote is not legally binding, but it will establish support for the strike before the official strike begins.
About 8,000 GMB members working in driver, warehouse, and clerical jobs can vote until May 4.
These workers were feeding the nation during the pandemic, said Nadine Hutton, a national official at GMB, when Asda executives rewarded themselves with a 38.8% wage increase in 2020.
“It is unfortunate that Asda now wants to use the cost of living crisis to try to pressure these key workers to fund their wage increases by reducing sick pay.
“With inflation over 8% and the UK facing its worst drop in living standards in 50 years, it is time for these workers to receive proper salaries to help them make ends meet.”
Asda’s sickness benefits plan was introduced in 2012 because distribution workers are at greater risk due to higher rates of workplace stress and a higher selection of musculoskeletal problems.
John Barry, Asda Vice President of Logistics, said: “We received two improved reward offers for GMB that pair higher inflation and increased service and warehouse wages by 7.49% and freight rates by 8.,91%. Increases if accepted.
“We are disappointed that GMB will not offer this enhanced offer to members or give them the opportunity to vote.
“We expect them to abide by the National Recognition Agreement that the parties signed in 2012, as this will provide an agreed framework for resolving outstanding issues, for example through the Conciliation Service (ACAS), if necessary.
Source: Belfastlive
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
