Asda has unveiled plans which will put nearly 300 jobs at risk and leave thousands more at risk of having their pay reduced.
The supermarket chain proposed that some overnight stocking shifts at 184 stores are moved to the day period. This would leave 211 night shift managerial roles at risk.
It noted that the change would also affect 4,137 hourly-paid workers whose roles would be moved to the daytime. This could mean them losing their night-shift pay premium of at least £2.52 an hour. The move will affect workers who currently restock ambient products, such as pasta and tinned goods, and staff restocking frozen food.
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Asda also revealed a 22 per cent cut to colleague hours across all in-store Post Office shops while four of them will reduce opening hours - with an average of 9 per cent. The in-store branches, which employ 23 managers and 200 workers, have been affected by "a decline in the number of customers using this service," according to the retailer.
Meanwhile, seven in-store pharmacies - which employ 14 pharmacists and 48 workers - will also close.
Asda’s retail director, Ken Towle, said: “The retail sector is evolving at pace and it is vital we review changing customer preferences, along with our own ways of working, to ensure we are operating as efficiently as possible so that we can continue to invest and grow our business.
“We are now entering a period of consultation with our colleagues on these proposals. We recognise this will be a difficult time for them and will do all we can to support them through this process.”
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