60,000 Asda Workers File Largest‑Ever Private‑Sector Equal‑Pay Claim
In a move that could rewrite the pay scale for every shop floor worker in the UK, more than 60,000 Asda employees have taken their case to the Employment Tribunal. This is the biggest equal‑pay claim in the private sector to date, and it starts as early as Monday morning at the Civil Justice Centre in Manchester.
The Show Must Go On
- Manchester: dozens of Asda staff will rally outside the courthouse, chanting “Equal pay for all!”
- Brighton: a group will march right into the heart of the TUC congress to disrupt a debate over GMB’s motion on retail workers’ wages.
Why It Matters
The claim hinges on a stark pay gap: female‑dominated retail workers earn up to £3.74 per hour less than their male‑dominated warehouse counterparts. The workers argue that running a store is just as demanding, if not more so, than loading pallets on a forklift.
If the Tribunal rules in their favour, Asda could owe billions— a figure that might make the company’s debt‑laden purse run a little tighter.
Voices From the Front
“Asda workers are making history.” said Nadine Houghton, a GMB National Officer. “This hearing will finally bust the retailer’s habit of undervaluing women’s shop‑floor labour.” She added that if the court recognises that frontline work is equal to warehouse work, the new owners— TDR Capital— will need to come to the table and settle the sex discrimination.”
Meanwhile, Lauren Lougheed from Leigh Day, who previously helped women at Next win their own pay disputes, says: “We’re feeling optimistic. We’re sporting the same confidence that’ll win the Asda case. We’re not just hopeful; we’re ready to sling the verdict into the bright spotlight of justice.”
Asda’s Position
According to the company, any claim that gender influences pay is “entirely unfounded.” They emphasize that retail and warehouse jobs demand different skill sets and justify distinct wage structures. Yet the reality of a stark, gender‑driven pay gap suggests otherwise.
What’s Next?
The Tribunal’s hearings are set to last roughly three months. Should the decision favour the claimants, Asda will be pressed to show that the pay discrepancy stems from legitimate business reasons—rather than a gender bias— and will likely face a hefty settlement.
Stay tuned for updates as this landmark battle unfolds. It’s more than just numbers; it’s a fight for fairness that could reshape how we pay people who keep aisles full and goods sorted.
