Asda said it is cutting the hourly pay of its grocery delivery drives by more than 12%, impacting over 1,500 employees.
According to the Guardian, the UK’s third largest supermarket is removing the £1.50-an-hour premium which was introduced in the summer to attract and retain drivers.
GMB national officer Nadine Houghton added that “Asda’s attempt to address its driver shortage was a sticking plaster that was never going to work. Asda needs to address the fundamental issue: driver pay is much lower than other retailers – as is their shop-floor pay.”
The premium was promised up until at least Christmas, but is being withdrawn on 21 October, with a spokesperson adding the trial “has not delivered the desired results.”
Asda was recently criticised by the GMB Union for being the “worst paying” big four grocers.
“It should be a source of massive shame for Asda they are now the worst paying of the Big 4,” Houghton said.
Last year, the supermarket was bought by billionaire brothers Mohsin and Zuber Issa.