MP for West Dunbartonshire, Martin Docherty-Hughes, has urged bosses at ASDA to reconsider proposed changes to staff contracts that could see supermarket workers lose hundreds of pounds a year.
The local SNP MP, who represents constituents working at ASDA stores in Clydebank and Dumbarton, has written to the supermarket’s Chief Executive Roger Burnley to raise concerns on behalf of local staff affected.
ASDA retail employees have been told that hourly-paid staff are to be put on new contracts that will see a pay rise of less than 80p per hour in return for fewer holidays, the loss of paid breaks and cuts to public holiday entitlement.
It has been reported that ASDA employees face being sacked if they do not agree to sign up to the new contract terms.
In a letter to ASDA’s Chief Executive, local MP Martin Docherty-Hughes said he was concerned that the forced contract changes would have a detrimental financial impact on low-income staff.
He cautioned that staff with young families, childcare responsibilities and students would be disproportionately affected, urging the ASDA boss to re-open negotiations with staff and inviting Mr Burnley to a meeting in parliament in an effort to resolve matters.
Martin Docherty-Hughes MP said:
“ASDA is a major employer in West Dunbartonshire so it’s concerning that hard-working local staff face pay cuts or worse due to these proposed changes.
“I’ve been contacted by staff who have been employed as ASDA’s stores in Clydebank and Dumbarton for many years who are very worried by the prospect of being forced to accept poorer working conditions.
“Many retail workers face a real term cut in wages which is completely unacceptable. If ASDA goes ahead with this then it will be a betrayal of the loyalty shown by their local employees, many of whom are on low incomes.
“I’ve written to ASDA’s Chief Executive urging them to reopen negotiations with staff and trade union representatives. It’s critical that an amicable solution can be found which doesn’t unfairly disadvantage hard-working staff in West Dunbartonshire.”
