Hot off the heels of the GMB's successful campaign to win union recognition for salaried managers in ALS, we now want to ensure that salaried managers in retail have a collective union voice at work too. You deserve a seat at the table in negotiations over your pay and conditions and union protection during challenging times for the business.
We have now written to ASDA to formally request they recognise the GMB for Salaried Retail Managers. We aren't expecting ASDA to say yes, so we will have to make a formal application to an independent government funded body called the Central Arbitration Committee.
If our application is accepted, you will then get the chance to vote on whether you want the GMB to be your recognised union.
We are asking you to share your contact details with the GMB so we can share updates with you. You will be doing so confidentially and we will only be using your details to share GMB updates.
We look forward to sharing updates with you as we move forward in your campaign to win a voice at work.
In solidarity,
Nadine Houghton
GMB National Officer for ASDA
Letter To Retail Managers
Posted on:
Dear ASDA Retail Salaried Manager,
We know that being a manager in an ASDA store can be difficult with many competing priorities in a business that is currently struggling.
Added to the operational challenges you face there is uncertainty around your bonus, job security and you have no say over what you are paid.
The GMB is asked regularly how we can provide collective representation for the manager population in retail and I want to answer that for you. You may be aware that salaried managers in ALS recently voted for the GMB to be their recognised trade union. They now have their own elected GMB representatives and will soon begin pay talks.
It is important you have independent trade union representation through a trade union that is genuinely prepared to represent your best interests - not your employers. While there is sometimes common ground to be found between a trade union and an employer, this will not always the case. Sometimes your interests will differ to those of ASDA's and it is important you have a trade union that can differentiate between the two.
ASDA want to cherry pick which trade union gets to represent the managers in retail. They are trying to bring in a trade union called USDAW, without first asking you which union you would choose. This is the same trade union ASDA have brought in to represent staff in Leon, EG Group petrol garages and ASDA Express stores. The recognition agreement between USDAW and ASDA does not allow USDAW members a vote on their pay and it does not allow union members to elect their representatives to sit on the committee that decides pay.
Unfortunately, this is not genuine union recognition or collective bargaining.
The GMB has enough members amongst salaried retail managers to make an application to an independent body called the CAC to be your recognised trade union, giving us the legal right to negotiate on your pay, hours and conditions.
If our application is accepted, you will then get to have a vote on whether you want the GMB to be your recognised union. If you do, you will be able to elect your own representatives and you will get a genuine seat at the table in pay negotiations.
We intend on making this application soon and will update you on the progress of this. Most importantly – we want you to have your say.
If you have any questions, you can email me on nadine.houghton@gmb.org.uk or speak to your regional organiser.
Thank you for your support and lets work together to give salaried managers in retail the representation you need at work and a seat at the table when it comes to deciding your pay and conditions.
