SUPERMARKET firm Asda has joined forces with Unite the union to ensure agency workers at its 29 meat and poultry suppliers – employing 6,000 people – receive the same pay as permanent staff.
The union has accused some supermarkets of abusing their market power, claiming a two-tier labour market existed, with agency staff on poorer employment conditions than directly-employed workers.
Asda said it agreed with Unite that agency workers who do the same work as permanent workers should receive equal pay, and that agency work should not be used as a means of preventing them from accessing the same rights as the permanent workers.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here