Thousands of Asda workers say they are ready to strike over changes to sick pay after a union vote.
The issue is that Asda wants to give staff a pay rise at the expense of their sick pay entitlement.
The supermarket wants to cut its sick pay from 26 weeks to 13.
The GMB union has balloted 8,000 Asda members working in driver, warehouse and clerical roles.
Around 95% of those who voted said they were willing to take industrial action over the issue.
GMB will now meet with members to discuss next steps.
GMB national officer Nadine Houghton said: “This ballot result show how angry Asda workers are.
“They’re being asked to swallow a real terms pay cut while Asda’s top brass give themselves a hefty pay rise.
“There’s no way these keyworkers should be forced into self-funding their own pay rise via cuts to their sick pay.
“We will now meet with members to discuss next steps.”
Are you an Asda worker affected by the votes? Get in touch: mirror.money.saving@mirror.co.uk
A formal ballot on striking would need to be held before any industrial action starts.
An Asda spokesperson said: "We have made two improved pay offers which would see warehouse salaries increase to up to £13.89 per hour and transport salaries to up to £16.25 per hour.
"This is a fair, competitive and sustainable offer and we are disappointed it was rejected by the GMB without giving their members the chance to vote on the proposal.
"It is normal during the course of negotiations to seek ways to help fund additional investment in pay and the offer we have made both increases the rate of pay for workers and retains a sickness pay and policy that is in line with the market.
"Any talk of industrial action is premature as there is an agreed framework in place including independent conciliation and arbitration at ACAS if necessary, as part of our longstanding, agreed dispute resolution process.”
Bosses had initially suggested a deal to give staff a pay rise at the expense of their sick pay entitlement - including the first three days of paid sick pay in any sickness absence and the last 13 to 26 weeks of sick pay
In February, an overwhelming majority of Asda’s staff voted to reject base rate increases to warehouse and clerical staff ranging from 4.98% to 6.10%, and 6.49% to 7.53% for transport staff.
The grocer returned to the negotiating table with union GMB and offered to increase warehouse and clerical pay by up to 7.49% and transport workers’ remuneration by 8.31%.
However, it planned to fund the increases by cutting sick pay, which it said would “align this with policies in place elsewhere in the retail sector”.
