Asda workers to begin equal pay demonstrations as 'historic' hearing begins

Asda workers are set to stage demonstrations on Monday to mark the beginning of an equal pay claim. The GMB said the case involves more than 60,000 workers, calling it the biggest ever in the private sector. The demonstrations will unfold at the TUC Congress in Brighton and Manchester , where the hearing will be heard.

The case is expected to last about three-months. The union is arguing that the predominantly female retail staff earn up to £3.74 per hour less than their mainly male warehouse counterparts.



The claimants will argue that retail responsibilities are just as crucial to Asda as warehouse duties. In a long-fought battle, this marks the second phase. GMB national officer Nadine Houghton said: "Asda workers are making history.

The result of this hearing will call time on the retailers undervaluing their predominantly women shop floor workers. The entire retail sector has been built on the structural undervaluing of women's work but GMB members are changing this." An Asda spokesperson said: "We fully respect the right of current and former colleagues to bring this case, however, we strongly reject any claim that Asda's pay rates are influenced by gender.

" "There are numerous different jobs within retail and within warehouses. We continue to defend these claims because retail and distribution are two different industry sectors that have their own distinct skill sets and pay structures.".