WREXHAM'S MP has described fire-and-rehire proposals at Oscar Mayer as "completely unacceptable".

Over 500 workers at the Wrexham Industrial Estate ready meal plant are striking over the controversial scheme. 

Unite the union has said staff have been given an ultimatum that they are either fired, or sign new contracts that involve the removal of some paid breaks, and eradicate any enhanced payments and days off in lieu for working bank holidays.

The union has branded fire-and-rehire as "despicable", with strike action taking place from September 12 to October 10 at the plant - which is one of the major ready meal manufacturers in the UK and supplies large quantities of its products to Tesco, ASDA, Greggs, Aldi, Waitrose, Sainsbury’s and the Co-op.

And now Wrexham's MP, Andrew Ranger, has waded in on the issue - saying employees should be treated with "respect and in good faith".

"I strongly urge Oscar Mayer to fully engage with workers and their representatives, Unite the Union, as soon as possible to reach a fair, ethical and mutually satisfactory resolution to the current situation at their production facility in Wrexham," he said.

"Employees everywhere should be treated with respect and in good faith. This does not appear to have happened so far in this case. Everyone understands that businesses sometimes must make changes when circumstances change. These must be carried out in a fair and ethical way.

"The threat of employees being fired and then rehired on worse pay, terms and conditions is something that has no place in 21st century industrial relations and at the Wrexham factory is completely unacceptable. The new UK government has pledged to end the use of fire and rehire practices very soon. It would not be a good look for the company to be one of the last to use it – or at all."

READ MORE: Striking Oscar Mayer worker slams company over fire-and-rehire scheme

Mr Ranger added: "Businesses such as Oscar Mayer are essential to Wrexham, the local economy and for employment in the area – I want to see them, and their workforce succeed in partnership.

"Industrial action is always a last resort for workers and the decision to take it will not have been made lightly. If the company had entered into proper dialogue sooner, it could have been avoided – alongside the consequential detrimental impact on both workers and the business.

"I stand ready to offer my strong support and any assistance I can to the workers and the company so that the best outcome for all involved is achieved."

Oscar Mayer previously said: "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 on-going, and we have engaged fully with Unite during this process. The fact that we have agreed to a number of alternative proposals put forward by colleagues underscores the fact that there has been effective dialogue throughout, and that consultation has been constructive."

“We remain committed to an ongoing dialogue as we work to reach agreement with our colleagues.”