UK's Asda depot workers to hold 5-day strike

LONDON, June 22 (Reuters) Thousands of workers at British supermarket chain Asda are to strike for five days later this month in a dispute over union rights, union chiefs said on Thursday.

Warehouse staff and drivers at 20 distribution depots will walk ut from June 30, threatening supplies during the height of the busy soccer World Cup period, the GMB union said.

Asda, the UK arm of the world's biggest retailer Wal-Mart Stores Inc., has said it will do all it can to keep stores stocked.

GMB National Secretary Phil Davies said its members were determined to win greater union recognition.

''There appears to be a clear clash of cultures between the way workers do business in Britain and the way Wal-Mart does business,'' he said in a statement.

The union will consider legal action if Asda attempts to minimise the effects of the strike by hiring casual workers from employment agencies, he added.

The strike will take place during the World Cup quarter finals and one of the semi-finals. Retailers enjoyed a sales boost in the run-up to the tournament in what some analysts described as a ''World Cup effect'' which boosted demand.

Asda has offered to hold more talks to avert the strike.

''It makes us really sad the GMB is threatening strike action when there is already a great offer on the table,'' the company said on Wednesday.

REUTERS ARB KN2047