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Friday 5th May, 2006
ASDA’s Northern Ireland Colleagues Say ‘Yes’ To New Terms & Conditions

New package accepted following negotiation between the supermarket and shop workers’ union USDAW

ASDA has today announced that its 2,500-strong NI workforce has voted to accept the retailer’s new terms and conditions package, which was agreed in conjunction with USDAW (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers).

This follows negotiation between ASDA and USDAW shop stewards from the stores and is the first step towards integrating local colleagues into ASDA’s UK-wide network.

“We are delighted that agreement has been reached with our colleagues, who, as the ‘face’ of ASDA, are so vital to our customers and to the success of our stores,” said Brenda Peake, ASDA’s NI Divisional People Manager.

“During the negotiation process, we’ve developed a close working partnership with USDAW representatives and our focus at all times has been on securing a package of terms and conditions which is fair, representative and beneficial to all. This positive result reflects the effectiveness of our joint negotiation process.

“In the five months that we’ve been operational in NI, our stores have exceeded all our expectations and today’s announcement marks another key milestone for our colleagues and our business as a whole.”

After acquiring Safeway’s 13 NI stores from Wm Morrison in June 2005, ASDA retained 2,000 of its predecessor’s colleagues but has since increased its total NI workforce to more than 2,500. All colleagues participated in ASDA’s bespoke training programme at the company’s dedicated training centre in Belfast.

Under the new terms & conditions, colleagues will be able to take advantage of a number of benefits ranging from increased hourly rates and improved holiday entitlement to enhanced arrangements for those on long-term sick leave. Other benefits to be introduced include an all-colleague bonus scheme and other incentives, including a discount card for every colleague, offering ten per cent off their weekly shop, and access to the company sharesave scheme. In line with ASDA’s policies on flexible working and work/life balance, the company will also offer enhanced paternity and bereavement leave.

Adding his support to the workforce’s decision, John Hannett, general secretary of USDAW said: “This is a new agreement with ASDA and we’re pleased the company has recognised the massive efforts our members have made to help smoothly manage the change of ownership. The negotiations have gone well resulting in a good deal for our members in ASDA so we will continue to focus on recruiting more members in Northern Ireland and working with the company to improve conditions in the future.”

Ends

For further information:
Jennifer England, ASDA Press Office, 0113 241 9335

Notes for Editors

ASDA PEOPLE MAKING THE DIFFERENCE

  • At ASDA, it’s people that make the difference. Every one of the store’s 150,000 colleagues play a part in making the business a success and over 93,000 of them own a stake in the business through one of the UK's biggest share ownership schemes.
  • The workforce represents all ages, genders and ethnic groups and our people policies reflect that. A range of award-winning flexible working packages allow colleagues to achieve a balance between their family, learning and religious commitments. Carefully selected healthcare, legal and financial partners deliver benefits that offer real peace of mind whilst links with cinemas, holiday companies and UK day-trip destinations ensure colleagues and their families can share in our sense of fun.
  • Examples of Family Friendly Working include:
    Child care leave - available for parents to stop work for a short period during the summer holidays, returning later with continuous service and maintained benefits
    Shift swapping schemes - available for colleagues needing to be absent from work for specific family or domestic reasons
    School starter scheme - a unique scheme that allows parents to take a half day holiday on their child's first day at school
    Emergency family leave - Reasonable time off to deal with family emergencies which may arise.
    Grandparents’ leave - On the birth of a grandchild, grandparents are often involved in carer duties. To help with this up to a weeks leave is available
    Job share - To help managers balance home and work life
    Parental leave – parents may stop work for a short period of between one and 4 weeks per year or extended leave of up to 8 weeks during summer holidays
    IVF Leave - In June 2003 ASDA was Britain’s first company to launch paid leave for colleagues undergoing fertility treatment. The new leave packages came after feedback from colleagues who said they wanted to be more open about such treatment and asked ASDA to play a part in relieving the stress that naturally accompanies IVF treatment
  • Flexible Working for Students, Carers and Career breakers - it's not just parent who need flexibility and ASDA recognises that with the following leave packages such as:
    Career break - Colleagues can take a career break of up to 2 years.
    Carers leave - Enables our colleagues to be able to give long term care and care at home.
    It’s my Day - Launched to celebrate ASDA’s 40th birthday. Colleagues can take a day’s unpaid holiday to celebrate an event special to them.



 

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