A NATIONAL strike ballot among distribution workers at supermarket giant Asda in a row over pay and bargaining rights will start next week.

The GMB said its members in 20 of Asda's depots will vote over the next few weeks on whether to take industrial action, with the result due on June 21.

Jude Brimble, national officer of the GMB said: "Our members will now have an opportunity to vote for industrial action to secure national collective bargaining at 20 distribution depots.

"Only with national collective bargaining will we have a framework to address the outstanding issues such as the reinstatement of the 2005 bonus and safe and healthy work rates.'' The chain has two stores in Swindon, one in West Swindon and the other, an Asda Wal-Mart, on the Orbital Shopping Park.