The new deal is £11 from April and £11.11 per hour from July this year and applies to staff regardless of age. It exceeds the national living wage, which is £10.42 an hour from April for those aged 23 and over. It also takes staff above the Living Wage Foundation rate of £10.90.

Raymond Neal – Usdaw Area Organiser says: “In the course of our ongoing negotiations with Asda, we raised the significant pressures our members face because of the cost of living crisis. So we are pleased to have secured a significant increase that will make Asda the top-paying supermarket from July and takes staff beyond the real living wage.

“It’s been a tough time for retail staff, too many are struggling with rapidly rising prices, energy and fuel costs. Shopworkers provide the essential service of keeping the nation fed and deserve our support, respect and appreciation. Most of all they deserve decent pay and this deal is a welcome boost.

“This clearly demonstrates the value of being an Usdaw member in a recognition agreement that includes pay negotiations. Usdaw reps will now be visiting Asda stores across Northern Ireland, speaking with members and non-members about the benefits of being in the union.”

Notes for editors:
 
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK's fifth biggest trade union with around 360,000 members. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemical industry and other trades.
 
For Usdaw press releases visit: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Twitter @UsdawUnion