‘You’re better off at Asda ’ might be its slogan, but not if you work there, says a union.
The GMB says bosses have refused its pleas for an autumn pay rise despite the three other big four supermarkets increasing wages to help with the cost of living crisis.
Aldi, Tesco and Sainsbury’s have boosted the basic hourly rate to £10.50, £10.30 and £10.25 respectively.
Asda workers take home £10.10 an hour – leaving them over £3 worse off than Aldi employees over an eight-hour shift.
GMB officer Nadine Houghton said: “While other companies are trying to protect hard-working employees from the cost of living crisis, Asda seems happy to sit back while its workers struggle.
“GMB is now calling on Asda to act quickly to stop them facing a truly bleak winter.”
Other stores have offered extra perks. Sainsbury’s is giving staff free food during shifts until the end of the year, while Tesco has doubled its staff discount.
According to a GMB survey of 3,200 Asda workers, 90% worry they won’t be able to heat their homes.
Among them is gran Jacqueline Davis, 54, who works in the Crawley store.
She said: “I’m having to ask friends and family for money on a regular basis.”
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.”
