More than 5,000 workers lives on hold while in scope for potential redundancies says GMB Union.

GMB Union has begun consultation with Asda as the supermarket giant announces more than 3,700 potential job losses.

The union will tell Asda bosses no one should be forced to leave their job unless they want to.

The supermarket giant, recently taken over by the ISSA brothers for £6.8 billion, this morning told workers: Heston and Dartford shopping centres will close affecting 747 hourly paid and 32 managers workers, formal consultation not yet commenced.

Re organisation of management resulting in potential 1,092 job losses - consultation began this morning.

Back Office reorganisation with a potential 1,853 potential job losses

The scope of the redundancies affect more than 5,000 workers.

Roger Jenkins, GMB National Officer, said: “Asda workers have had a torrid two years. The failed Sainsbury’s takeover, twelve months working on the pandemic frontline and now the uncertainty of a new take over, sidling the company with huge debts and potential sell offs.

“This is the last thing they need. The scope of today's announcement means 5,000 people have their lives put on hold. It’s not right Asda is a profitable company that does not need to enforce redundancies. GMB will battle hard to make sure no one leaves their job unless they want to.”