27/07/2005

Staff strike at Asda distribution centre

Staff at Asda's Washington supermarket distribution centre in Tyne and Wear have begun a three-day strike action today.

Around 500 members of the GMB union who are employed in the ASDA Washington distribution depot voted overwhelmingly to take strike action last week.

According to the GMB the 72-hour dispute is over this year's pay offer which has been rejected by the Asda Washington workers.

GMB official Mark Wilson said members were not satisfied with the pay offer: "The company offered these workers a 10% rise earlier this year if members gave up collective bargaining which they refused to do."

He said that the strike would be "solid" and would impact on Asda stores across the North of England.

Calling on Asda, he said that the company needed to improve on the pay offer and "get back to the negotiating table and sort out a deal with the members."

A spokesperson for Asda said that the strike would not significantly impact on distribution as alternative contingency plans were in place.

(SP/KMcA)

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