MORE than 300 security officer jobs at the supermarket giant Asda could be lost after a redundancy consultation opened.
The GMB Union has hit out at the “shambolic” plans to cut jobs by Mitie, which employs security officers for the supermarket chain, saying workers have been “hung out to dry”.
The 300 workers are at risk of losing their jobs or facing reduced working hours under Mitie’s proposals, it is understood.
The union said it raised concerns about a lack of a comprehensive risk assessment of the impact of losing security staff, which they claim could impact customer and worker safety.
GMB also argued that the consultation process, which concludes on July 24, is too short to allow “meaningful engagement” and that security officers have been given “incorrect information” about the process.
Keith Dixon, GMB regional organiser, said security officers at Asda's stores do a “vital and difficult job” protecting stores and customers.
He said: “Hundreds of security colleagues are facing the prospect of losing their job or seeing their hours cut, and they are deeply worried about what the future holds.
“Members are telling us this process feels like a done deal, not a meaningful consultation, and they have been hung out to dry by their new employer, Mitie.
“They do a vital and difficult job protecting stores and customers, yet Mitie has not considered the impact that reducing security provision will have on people’s safety.
“We are asking Mitie to suspend this shambolic process and ensure that any future consultations are transparent, honest, and backed by robust evidence.”
In a letter to Mitie’s chief executive, the union has called for the redundancy process to be suspended immediately while further discussions take place.
