Asda expects workers to lift 13 tonnes a day

Management plans at the Asda supermarket distribution warehouse in Wigan are putting workers at serious risk of muscular injuries to their backs, knees, wrists, elbows and shoulders, the GMB general union has claimed.

Workers have been told to increase their daily pick rate from 1,100 boxes to 1,400 boxes per person – equivalent to 13 tonnes on average.

Eddie Gaudie, GMB organiser responsible for the depot, said managers were “asking staff to work themselves to death”. He added: “GMB is appealing to Asda to take this matter to arbitration to agree an efficient and safe method of working in line with each worker’s capability.”