Two Asda superstores in Brighton are being balloted for over staff complaints.

According to GMB, the union for the supermarket chain, staff across the two locations are unhappy about a series of complaints that have not been dealt with by managers.

Issues raised include a lack of hours, poor contracts, health and safety not being dealt with in a timely matter, high turnover of staff placing pressure on remaining staff, and staff training that is "not fit for purpose".

The union said that a dossier of more than 20 issues has been issued to Asda management.

“Following on from the successful strike ballot in Asda Gosport we received several calls from members in these two Brighton stores keen to join in and take action,” said Nicola Nixon, GMB regional organiser. “The members have come up with more than 20 issues that they feel are not being addressed properly by management, and these look incredibly similar to those submitted in Gosport.

Nixon continued: “Asda owners the Issa brothers and their financial backers TDR Capital need to step up to the plate and address these issues head on, or we will just see ballot after ballot across the country until our members feel listened to. TDR Capital also owns the Stonegate pub chain and GMB has highlighted similar issues with the private equity firm.”

GMB said that the ballots, set to close next week, will lead to formal industrial action ballots if the members vote in favour of taking action.

“We have established processes in place for colleagues to raise any issues or concerns that they may have," said an Asda spokesperson. "Providing a safe working environment where all colleagues are treated with respect is of paramount importance to us and if colleagues have concerns we would ask these are brought to the attention of a manager immediately so they can be investigated and promptly resolved.”

---