A SUPERMARKET ready meal manufacturer has been branded an “utter disgrace” by Unite over its plan to fire and rehire workers to slash wages by £3,237 a year.

Wrexham-based Oscar Mayer, which supplies Tesco, Asda, Greggs, Lidl, Waitrose, Sainsbury’s and Co-op, wants to end paid breaks, remove bank holiday rates and time off in lieu and change shift patterns to reduce pay, Unite said.

Workers have been told their contracts are being terminated and that they will lose any option of redundancy payments if they don’t sign up to worse terms.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The way Oscar Mayer is treating its workers is an utter disgrace.

“Fire and rehire is consistently used by the worst of the worst employers and must be banned.

“Unite will not stand for Oscar Mayer’s thuggish behaviour and our members will receive their union’s maximum support.”

Unite regional officer Jono Davies said the workers have been prevented from having proper union representation.

Ian Toal, Chief Executive of Oscar Mayer said: “Unite’s claims are an entirely inaccurate reflection on the consultation process we continue to undertake at our Wrexham site. We have held numerous meetings with colleague representatives and, through what continues to be a constructive consultation process, have already updated our proposal following feedback from those representatives.

“These proposals are not made lightly, but we believe are necessary to ensure a long-term sustainable future for our business. We remain in consultation with all those who could be impacted and are hopeful of reaching an agreement.”