A GMB rep spoke to the Socialist
Since the takeover of Asda by the billionaire Issa brothers and private equity firm TDR Capital, from previous owners US giant Walmart, Asda ‘colleagues’ – ie workers – have experienced repeated cuts to in-work benefits, incentives, and investment from the owners.
This, coupled with a reduction in the number of staff and disappointing pay increases, has led to widespread dissatisfaction among the workforce, both locally and nationally. GMB shop stewards asked our members what they wanted to do about these issues, up to and including the idea of strike action. The response from members was that something needs to be done, and that industrial action would force the brothers and TDR Capital to listen to our frustrations.
Industrial action has been exceedingly rare in the retail and distribution sectors. I believe that this has often stemmed from the belief among retail workers that we are replaceable, and if we went out on strike it’d be pointless as we’d just be replaced. However, the experience of working through the pandemic and being considered heroes, coupled with the abject refusal of Asda to replace staff after they’ve left, has led to a belief that we can and should fight for what we need and deserve.
The key issues for members at my store are understaffing and low pay.
My message to colleagues in other Asda stores is that we can fight, and we can win. To non-GMB members, I’d say join the union as soon as possible, as we are getting results and the more we stand together and present a united front to the owners, the more chance we have of winning the dispute.
To GMB members, I’d say get talking to your fellow colleagues and fellow members in your store about the issues you have both locally and with the way the brothers and TDR have been running the company as a whole. Let your shop stewards or local office know whether you’d be up for industrial action, and know that there is a full commitment from your union to fight for you.
To fellow shop stewards, I’d say I know how much blood, sweat and tears goes into this role. But this is a moment that I think we’ve all been hoping would come, that we are finally taking the fight to Asda rather than being on the defensive for so many years.
