GMB
This coverage examines the activities, negotiations, and campaigns of the GMB union as they relate to the UK retail sector. Reports focus on industrial action, wage disputes, collective bargaining outcomes, and the union’s influence on working conditions across retail businesses. With insights into how GMB initiatives impact employers, employees, and wider retail operations, the reporting supports executives, managers, and professionals navigating workforce relations within their organisations.
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Feb- 2022 -22 FebruaryNews
Asda strike looms after thousands turn down pay deal
An Asda strike has “moved closer” after thousands of distribution staff turned down a pay deal, according to the GMB. The supermarket, which has been negotiating with the GMB, the recognised trade union for ALS, made the following offer to colleagues last month. It should be noted this offer was…
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18 FebruaryCoronavirus
135,000 retail jobs lost amid pandemic
Almost 135,000 traditional retail jobs were lost during the course of the pandemic, according to an analysis of figures from trade union GMB. It found that in 2019, there were an estimated 1.2 million sales and retail assistants, retail cashiers and check-out operators in the UK. By 2021, however, this…
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Dec- 2021 -22 DecemberNews
Asda strike looms amid ‘unacceptable’ pay offer
GMB has announced that strike action at Asda has moved closer after thousands of workers said they were ready to walk out over the company’s “failure to make an acceptable pay offer”. The association’s representatives will meet after the next pay talks to agree the next steps in moving to…
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Mar- 2021 -26 MarchSupermarkets
Court rules against Asda in equal pay case
The Supreme Court has ruled that Asda’s shop floor staff can be compared to workers in the supermarket’s distribution centre for the purposes of their equal pay claim. Back in January 2019, the Court of Action also ruled that GMB members could compare themselves in this fashion, upholding the rulings…
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18 MarchHigh Street
Wilko key workers prepare to strike amid sick pay cuts
Wilko key workers who are part of GMB union have announced they are preparing to strike after having their sick pay entitlement cut. A consultative ballot undertaken by the union saw 88% of Wilko workers vote that they were ready to take action up to and including strike action following…
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Feb- 2021 -23 FebruaryClothing & Shoes
GMB slams Arcadia collapse scandal
GMB has criticised the “scandal” regarding the collapse of retail group Arcadia, revealing that the taxpayer will have to pay out the redundancy packages of sacked employees. The union also took aim at administrators Deloitte for “making millions” for their services during the sale of Phillip Green’s former retail empire.…
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19 FebruaryHigh Street
Arcadia owed creditors £800m upon collapse
Arcadia, the owner of Topshop, Dorothy Perkins, and Miss Selfridge, reportedly owed £800m to its creditors upon its collapse in November. According to documents seen by the Guardian, the group’s debts were propped up by a pension deficit of £510m when Big Four accountancy firm Deloitte were called in to…
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Apr- 2020 -14 AprilHigh Street
Matalan owner reportedly seeking £60m amid store closures
The owner of Matalan, John Hargreaves, is reportedly seeking a cash injection of £60m to support the fashion retailer through the Covid-19 pandemic, after the group was “forced” to close its 232 stores. According to the Mail on Sunday, a statement issued to bondholders claimed the retailer had not faced…
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Mar- 2020 -31 MarchCoronavirus
Matalan employees furloughed, ‘massive win’ for safety says GMB
Matalan has announced all warehouse staff will be offered furlough leave in light of the coronavirus pandemic. The GMB said the move was a “massive win for victory and common sense”, and came after the union and workers put “sustained pressure” on the retailer. The union said that the “massive…
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27 MarchClothing & Shoes
River Island shuts distribution centre
River Island has announced the temporary closure of its distribution centre in light of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The fashion retailer said that the move would help to protect its teams and “make sure they can do the right thing to keep their families and community safe”. The group said…
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