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ASDA's relationship with trade union GMB has hit the rocks after the third collapse of pay negotiations at the supermarket giant's Ince, Lancashire, depot. GMB regional organiser Colin Priest says three-quarters of the 200-plus staff who balloted on the firm's latest offer - a two-year pay deal of a 4.1% rise over 18 months and 3.6% for the final six - rejected it.

"We've worked it out and this [latest offer] is way below inflation. Our members aren't being greedy, they're just asking  for inflation plus. If they accepted this, in real terms, they'd be taking a pay cut," he says. The initial one-year offer of 3% was rejected by more than 97% of those balloted, he adds.

ASDA confirms that the deal at Ince, which employs around 400 workers, including 100 drivers, was rejected, but says it was recommended by GMB. Priest is adamant that there was no recommendation to either accept or reject. He says he told members to "only reject [the offer] if they're prepared to go to the next stage," which includes either binding arbitration, or potentially, industrial action. But he adds: "We're prepared to talk to the company."

ASDA says: "We will continue to spend time talking to our colleagues on site and negotiating with our stewards in a hope to reach an agreement that suits everyone." ASDA's Skelmersdale, Lancashire, depot has voted in favour of being represented by GMB. This, says regional organiser Eddie Gaudie, takes the total of depots where the union has full  recognition to 11 out of more than 20.