THE GMB union warned retail giant Asda is in a “dire” state as a second strike ballot opened today over cuts in hours and management bullying.

More than 150 members at the supermarket giant’s Wisbech site asked for the consultative vote to address these issues as well as poor training, inadequate support, an ongoing equal pay claim and safety issues being ignored.

It comes after more than 100 GMB members at Asda’s Gosport superstore voted for industrial action last month – the first ever vote of its kind – for which talks are ongoing.

GMB regional organiser Keith Dixon said: “Asda has lost its leadership, its direction and no longer values its colleagues. The current state of the company is dire.”

Workers have until February 9 to indicate they are ready for industrial action. A full strike ballot would be launched shortly after.

GMB has warned over high debt levels at Asda’s private equity owners TDR Capital.

An Asda spokesman said: “We have established processes in place for colleagues to raise any issues or concerns they may have and we have not received any formal complaints at the Wisbech store relating to the claims made by the GMB.

“Providing a safe working environment is of paramount importance to us and if colleagues have any safety-related concerns we would ask these are brought to the attention of a manager immediately so they can be investigated and promptly resolved.”