READY MEAL maker Oscar Mayer faces a multimillion-pound lawsuit after firing and rehiring hundreds of workers at its Wrexham factory, Unite said today.

The union said that the largely migrant workforce has been threatened with dismissal without compensation if they refuse to sign new contracts paying up to £3,000 less in wages.

Some have been dismissed as they have not fully understood the notice period deadlines to accept the changes, it said.

Unite is launching unfair dismissal cases and protective awards cases on behalf of all its members for a failure to correctly consult the workforce before firing and rehiring them.

More than 500 workers had been due to end a four-week strike this week. This has been extended for two weeks, Unite said.

A company spokesman said that it has “engaged fully and constructively with our colleagues and their representatives throughout” and “complied fully with all relevant regulations,” vowing to “defend our approach in the strongest terms should Unite pursue this spurious legal action.”