Thousands of Asda workers will get their hourly pay cut despite the cost of living crisis.
1,500 delivery drivers will be affected by the decision by the leading supermarkets, as more than 12 per cent of pay will be cut as households continue to battle against rising costs. The £1.50-an-hour premium introduced in the summer across some 35 stores in London and the south coast is ending.
The premium to drivers’ £10.10 an hour rate is being scrapped on October 21. Asda had previously promised to keep the enhanced rate in place until Christmas, Mirror Online reports.
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GMB Union national officer, Nadine Houghton said: “Asda’s attempt to address its driver shortage was a sticking plaster that was never going to work.
"Asda need to address the fundamental issue: driver pay is much lower than other retailers - as their shop-floor pay. A temporary or one-off payment was never going to go far enough and entice drivers at a time when they are in high demand.
"Drivers need to be paid competitive rates for the job or they will continue to find work elsewhere." Asda said the enhanced pay package “has not delivered the desired results” and said all affected workers have been contacted.
According to a GMB survey of 3,200 Asda workers, 90% worry they won’t be able to heat their homes. Asda said: "We’re listening to our colleagues and taking action to support them wherever we are able.
"This year we have invested in two pay increases for our hourly-paid store colleagues and were able to pay a bonus worth an average of £413 to full-time, hourly paid colleagues."
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