Asda are trying to distract from the fact they plan to sack workers this weekend unless they sign a punishing new contract.
Supermarket set to dismiss workers who refuse to sign up to punishing new contract on Saturday
GMB, the union for ASDA workers, has said a new pay rise announced as a smokescreen to distract from the fact they plan to sack workers this weekend.
The supermarket said it will increase its basic rate for its hourly-paid retail employees from £9.00 to £9.18 from April 1 next year.
Asda workers have been told to sign the contracts - which will see them lose all their paid breaks and forced to work bank holidays – or be sacked on November 2 in the run up the Christmas.
GMB said the unprecedented announcement was evidence that Asda was feeling the heat from opposition to the contract changes.
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Gary Carter, GMB National Officer, said:
“Asda are using this 18p rise as a smokescreen to distract from the fact they plan to sack workers this weekend unless they sign a punishing new contract."
“It is unprecedented to announce an April pay rise in October – and Asda are clearly feeling the heat of opposition to the imposition of this contract."
“We do not yet know what inflation will be by that point, and so this could end up failing to keep pace with the cost of living.”
