Asda staff know everyone is backing them– from film and TV stars to political heavyweights and tens of thousands of members of the public
A Hollywood film star and Dr Who legend have joined 23,000 members of the public in backing Asda workers’ fight against a controversial new contract.
Dr Who star Paul Mcgann, who also starred in cult hit Withnail and I and Aliens 3, and Rob Delaney, who appeared in Catastrophe and Deadpool 2, both leant their support ahead of a mass protest in Leeds on Wednesday [October 16, 2019].
Mr McGann was snapped holding a ‘standing with Asda workers’ placard , while Mr Delaney tweeted GMB’s ‘Asda respect your workers’ video – which has already reached more than 4 million people online.
A petition calling on Asda to treat its workers with respect has now received more than 23,000 signatures.
Asda has told workers they must sign the so-called 'flexible' Contract 6 - 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.
Asda workers have been protesting outside stores up and down the country, while more than 1,000 turned out for a protest in August.
Latest company accounts show directors trousered a whopping £12million last year – and profits rocketed more than £92 million - at the same time Asda slashed 5,000 jobs
Gary Carter, GMB National Officer, said:
“Asda workers know everyone is backing them– from film and TV stars to political heavyweights and the hundreds heading to Leeds to protest this week. Everyone but Asda bosses basically.
“This new contract, with the contractual changes it brings, is forcing workers to choose between looking after their disabled son, elderly mother or vulnerable partner and losing their job – it’s just not right.
“We’re calling on Asda to respect its workforce and offer dedicated, long-serving staff a better deal.”
