ASDA workers held a demonstration yesterday to protest against controversial changes to contracts.

Staff from Asda stores all over Sussex, including Brighton Marina and St Leonards, joined workers at the branch in Hollingbury, Brighton, to hand out leaflets to shoppers and raise awareness of a nationwide campaign organised by the GMB union.

Declan Mac Intyre, GMB organiser for Brighton, said: “We are having a demonstration today in regards to the new contracts for employees.

“The new contract demands flexibility: the employer can give staff two weeks’ notice and change what hours they work, so there is absolutely no control for the employee.

“It’s devastating for a lot of the staff, many of whom have young children or caring responsibilities, and will not be able to continue employment under new conditions.”

Asda has claimed the “overwhelming majority” of employees had signed the new contract.

It said: “The retail sector is undergoing significant change and it is important that we are able to keep pace with these changes. While we appreciate that some of our colleagues find the changes more unsettling, we do not want any of them to leave.”