Moray Labour Candidate Jo Kirby has welcomed today’s decision of the Supreme Court that ASDA’s store workers can compare themselves to distribution centre workers, bringing these workers one-step closer to achieving the equal pay they deserve.
ASDA’s supermarket workers are currently engaged in a dispute with their employers over the fact that supermarket workers, who are much more likely to be women, are paid less than distribution workers, who are overwhelmingly male.
“Supermarket workers have been absolutely essential frontline workers over in the past year, and they should be recognised for the hard work that they have put in.” Jo Kirby
Following the Supreme Court’s ruling, Jo said “ASDA employs hundreds of staff in Elgin, with other supermarkets now facing similar pay claims – so winning the fight for equal pay is of crucial importance to so many Moray workers. I encourage all supermarket workers in Moray to get in touch with their union representative about joining this action to ensure that supermarket workers get the fair deal they deserve.”
This appeal relates to the first of three main issues that the Employment Tribunal must decide. As the roles have been found to be comparable, the Employment Tribunal now has to decide whether they are of equal value and, if they are, is there a reason other than sex discrimination as to why the roles should not be paid equally.
The equal value part of the claim is already underway, and the next Employment Tribunal hearing will take place on 23rd June to 2nd July.