Workers at Penryn’s Asda store staged a demonstration this week in protest over what they describe as “asset stripping” and claims of reduced hours.

Workers with the GMB Union stood outside the store in Jennings Road, Penryn - now referred to by the company as Asda Falmouth – with placards and leaflets.

The union claims “asset stripping” has led to health and safety issues, “dirty” stores and declining standards.

According to the union, shop floor hours have been cut and millions of pounds are allegedly owed in a dispute over equal pay – something denied by Asda.

GMB said: “Under TDR Capital, Asda’s private equity owners, millions of hours have been slashed from the shop floor.

“This is leading to health and safety issues, dirty stores and declining standards.

“In Asda Falmouth alone, GMB estimates approximately nine per cent of hours have been cut during the past two years, nearly nine per cent of the hours in the store.”

Three of the shop workers taking part in the demonstration (Image: GMB Union)

They also claim that Asda's shop floor workers – described as “predominantly women” – are owed money in back pay through their equal pay claim.

“In the Falmouth store this amounts to £3.4 million owed to current and previous Asda workers,” claimed the union.

Nadine Houghton, GMB National Officer, said: “This is daylight robbery of a much-loved British institution, with Asda workers and customers paying the price for TDR Capital’s financial engineering.

“GMB will not stand by while Asda workers are forced to do more work with less hours and declining health and safety standards.

“Figures released by GMB show the impact that cutting hours is having to your local Asda and how much the workers in your store are owed through their equal pay claim.” Asda has responded to the allegations by the union.

With regards to the claim of hours being reduced, an Asda spokesperson told the Packet: “We are investing an additional £30 million during the remainer of the year to improve the in-store experience.

“This includes putting extra hours into store to help colleagues provide an even better service to customers.” They also responded to the claim of “asset stripping” in store, adding: “Since acquiring Asda in 2021, the shareholders have invested £3.8 billion to grow the business organically and via strategic acquisitions.

“This includes launching Asda Express, a nationwide chain of convenience stores, Asda Rewards, a successful loyalty programme now used by six million customers, and a £415m investment in retail pay to make Asda the highest-paying traditional supermarket.”

Finally, regarding the claims over equal pay, the spokesperson said: “At Asda, male and female colleagues doing the same jobs in stores are paid the same, and this is equally true in our distribution centres.

“We continue to defend these claims because retail and distribution are very different sectors, with their own distinct skill sets and rates of pay."

TDR Capital did not wish to comment.