British workers at US-owned Asda to strike over pay

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2006

LONDON (AFP) — US retail giant Wal-Mart could soon face its first nationwide strike at its Asda supermarket subsidiary in Britain after workers voted in favor of industrial action in a row over pay.

The trade union GMB said its members at 20 Asda distribution centres in Britain have backed walkouts by three to one, while its leaders would meet on Thursday to outline a program of industrial action.

If it goes ahead, the walkout will be the first nation-wide strike since Asda was bought by Wal-Mart seven years ago, an Asda spokesman told AFP, adding that "we've never had a strike."

Asda is Britain's second-biggest supermarket group after market leader Tesco.

The union said its members "want to see the establishment of proper national bargaining...