ASDA Workers to Hold March and Photocall Featuring Lifesize Cutout of Boss Manjit Dale at Trowbridge Store Over Asset Stripping Concerns – ISN Reveal
ASDA workers are set to march in protest at the Trowbridge store, making a bold statement by featuring a lifesize cutout of their boss, Manjit Dale, in an effort to highlight concerns over alleged asset stripping. The march, accompanied by a photocall, is part of an escalating dispute surrounding what workers describe as the dismantling of ASDA’s core resources, which they fear is undermining the supermarket chain’s long-term stability and workforce security.
The protest is organised in response to growing dissatisfaction with decisions that, according to employees, are driven by profit maximisation at the expense of the company’s assets, including its workers and infrastructure. These actions, workers claim, have led to increasing pressure on staff, lower morale, and the closure of certain facilities, all while shareholders continue to benefit.
Manjit Dale in the Spotlight
In a creative twist, a lifesize cutout of Manjit Dale, co-founder of TDR Capital, ASDA’s parent company, will be carried during the march. The figure symbolises workers’ frustration with what they perceive as Dale’s role in the controversial business decisions affecting the supermarket. By incorporating this visual element, organisers hope to draw attention to the leadership’s perceived detachment from the daily struggles of ASDA employees.
A spokesperson for the workers commented, “This isn’t just about saving jobs, but about saving ASDA’s reputation and its place in our communities. We feel like the leadership is stripping away what makes ASDA the trusted supermarket it once was, and we want Manjit Dale to understand the human cost of these decisions.”
Asset Stripping Concerns
The term ‘asset stripping’ has been a focal point of the protest, with workers accusing the leadership of selling off or downsizing critical parts of the business. Although the supermarket giant has undergone several changes since being acquired by the Issa brothers and TDR Capital in 2021, workers argue that the current measures are excessive, and risk jeopardising ASDA’s competitive standing in the UK retail market.
The march is part of a wider campaign by ASDA employees across the UK, who are calling for more transparency and an end to what they see as short-sighted cost-cutting measures. With the UK retail industry facing increased challenges, from rising inflation to supply chain disruptions, workers are concerned that ASDA’s focus on short-term profit could weaken the supermarket’s long-term resilience.
Unions Stand in Solidarity
Unions have thrown their weight behind the workers’ protest, with calls for ASDA’s management to reconsider its approach to staffing and asset management. The GMB Union, which represents thousands of ASDA workers, has been vocal about its opposition to the recent cuts, arguing that the company should reinvest in its people and stores rather than divest from them.
One union representative stated, “Our members are the heart of ASDA, and their voices need to be heard. We’re not just talking about numbers on a balance sheet; we’re talking about livelihoods, about the very essence of what makes ASDA part of the community. Asset stripping may increase profits for a while, but in the long term, it’s a road to ruin.”
The Trowbridge March
The Trowbridge store has been chosen as a symbolic location for this march, with the event expected to draw significant media attention. Workers hope the visual impact of the lifesize cutout of Manjit Dale will resonate with both customers and executives, amplifying their message of concern.
The protest also includes a photocall, where participants will pose alongside the cutout, furthering their demand for corporate accountability. As the protest gathers momentum, ASDA’s management will be under increasing pressure to respond to the accusations and take steps toward addressing the workers’ concerns.
What Lies Ahead?
ASDA’s leadership has yet to make a formal statement on the planned march or the asset-stripping allegations, but the protest could mark a turning point in the ongoing discussions between workers, unions, and management. With a growing number of employees rallying behind the cause, the Trowbridge march may set the stage for further actions across the country.
For now, the spotlight remains firmly on Manjit Dale and his leadership team, as ASDA workers continue to fight for their jobs, their stores, and the supermarket’s future.
ISN Reveal: Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as it unfolds across the UK retail landscape.