ANGRY workers protesting against a food manufacturing company over fire and rehire threats have been gathering support at a supermarket in Northwich.

Staff at major ready meal manufacturers Oscar Mayer, based in Wrexham, were demonstrating across the country yesterday, Wednesday.

The low paid employees are angry at the company's plans to remove some paid breaks, reduce other breaks and eradicate any enhanced payments and days off in lieu for working bank holidays.

Unite the Union says Oscar Mayer is threatening to fire and rehire the workers on new contracts if they do not voluntarily accept the changes, which will see their take home pay plummet and leave them £2,000 a year worse off.

The company, which supplies its products to Tesco, Asda, Greggs, Aldi, Waitrose, Sainsbury’s and the Co-op, said the proposed changes 'would not be made lightly' and are 'necessary' to protect the sustainability of the business and jobs.

Asda at Barons Quay in Northwich was one of the supermarket locations where demonstrations took place.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "Oscar Mayers’ behaviour towards these already low paid workers is despicable.

"There is no justification whatsoever to slash their pay or for the threats of fire and rehire – an abhorrent practice that should be banned outright.

"Our members are absolutely right to strike and they have Unite’s unflinching support."

Unite added it has repeatedly approached the Oscar Mayer to find a resolution to the dispute to avoid industrial action, but says the company has refused to engage in good faith negotiations and is now refusing to communicate with the union at all.

Unite regional officer Jono Davies added: "Strike action is the last resort and Unite’s door continues to remain open for talks with Oscar Mayer. Burying your head in the sand is not the solution to resolving this dispute."

A spokesperson for Oscar Mayer, said: "In May 2024 we put a number of proposals to our colleagues in our Wrexham factory around changing some paid breaks to unpaid for weekly paid colleagues, and the removal of enhanced rates on bank holidays and the provision of time off in lieu for all colleagues.

"These proposals are not made lightly, but we believe are necessary to protect the long-term sustainability of our business and the jobs we provide in the local community.

"These changes would put us in line with most other businesses in our sector and similar businesses in the local area.

“The proposals have been subject to a full and proper consultation process with our colleagues, which is ongoing, and we have engaged fully with Unite during this process.

"The fact we have agreed to a number of alternative proposals put forward by colleagues underscores the fact there has been effective dialogue throughout, and that consultation has been constructive."

They added: "We remain committed to an ongoing dialogue as we work to reach agreement with our colleagues."