Fears over jobs at city supermarkets

DunDee supermarket workers face an uncertain future after Asda announced it is axing hundreds of jobs.

Asda has refused to rule out redundancies at its three stores in Dundee West, Kirkton and Milton of Craigie.

The grocery giant is looking to implement changes at all three stores.

It comes after Asda chiefs announced more than 800 shopfloor workers across the UK would face a pay cut or redundancy this year. Although it remains unclear how many staff could be affected, Asda management are speaking to staff about proposed changes.

A spokesman for Asda said: “In a competitive retail market, where customers rightly expect great value and ease of service, we must always look at how we can make the way we work become quicker and simpler.

“As we change and improve our ways of working, we i nevitably need to consider changing the roles we need our colleagues to do.

“We’re currently talking to our colleagues about some proposed changes.

“Whilst conversations about change are never easy, we will always work to find new opportunities f or i mpacted colleagues.”

Councillors today reacted with surprise at the possible jobs cull in the areas they represent.

Will Dawson, whose ward covers the Milton of Craigie store, said: “Hearing of redundancies this early into the new year is never pleasant.

“In the East End ward it’s certainly going to be doubly hitting because it’s never easy to find something else when this happens.

“From my perspective it would be good for Asda to confirm what the situation is for the store. There’s bound to be a consultation process.

“It would be good to know exactly what is planned, it’s a very busy store and there’s a lot of local staff to the East End who work in there.”

Councillor Charlie Malone was surprised to hear the Myrekirk store would be affected, saying: “Any kind of job losses would be difficult particularly in an area with such high unemployment and deprivation.

“It comes as a surprise, it always seems to be busy and it’s not been open that long so for it to be facing potential redundancies seems a bit odd.

“It’s the last thing this area needs considering the deprivation.”

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Asda Milton of Craigie