Asda has announced plans to outsource the jobs of around 3,500 cleaning staff, triggering a fierce reaction from the GMB union and adding to mounting concerns over the supermarket’s restructuring programme. The supermarket has begun the process of transferring its cleaning operations to third-party providers Bidvest and NIC Cleaning Services. According to GMB, the union asked Asda in April whether further outsourcing was planned and was told categorically that there was not. For the 3,500 cleaners affected, however, the immediate issue is employment security. The consultation will now determine how the transfer to the two external providers will be implemented and what it will mean for workers’ jobs, pay and conditions.