Asda has announced it will outsource its 3,500 store cleaning staff across England and Scotland to two third-party businesses, Bidvest and NIC Cleaning Services.
With Bidvest responsible for cleaning Asda stores in the North of England and Scotland, and NIC Cleaning Services taking over cleaning for Asda stores in the South of England.
The outsourcing move means Asda will have to enter into consultation over the roles of their current staff, who will be taken on by Bidvest and NIC Cleaning Services. This will add to the current two outsourcing staff consultations it already has open.
David Lepley, chief operating officer at Asda said: “Our ambition is to deliver the cleanest stores in retail. We continue to review and invest in ways to enhance the customer experience, partnering with industry leaders to deliver the best solutions. This latest investment is another important step in our mission to raise the bar for customers.
Adding, “Having taken the time to learn from others, by partnering with Bidvest and NIC Services we have access to the very latest machinery and cleaning technology.”
The GMB union has described the move by Asda as ‘detestable’. Rachelle Wilkins, GMB Organiser, said: “Outsourcing companies have a proven track record of slashing pay terms, conditions and even jobs as soon as they have their feet under the table.
Wilkins added. “We asked Asda in April if there was any further planned outsourcing and the company categorically replied ‘no’ – yet here we are in August.”
The GMB claims morale in stores is “at rock bottom” and has called on Asda to halt the consultation process until the other consultations are finished.
