According to Unite the Union, approximately 550 Oscar Mayer employees have been striking since September 2024. This action comes in response to the company’s attempts to implement a controversial “fire and rehire” policy, which could result in pay cuts of up to £3,000 for some workers.
The trade union announced that this ballot was instigated after a group of employees informed Oscar Mayer in writing that they would be “working under duress under the revised terms the company wants to impose.”
The ballot is set to close on February 20, and the strike is already scheduled to extend into March.
The workers involved are responsible for manufacturing a diverse range of ready meals sold by major retailers, including Co-op, Tesco, Asda, Aldi, Waitrose, and Sainsbury’s.
In the past, protests occurred outside the offices of Oscar Mayer’s owner, Pemberton Asset Management, and at Co-op. Despite these actions, the dispute remains unresolved.
Unite’s General Secretary, Sharon Graham, asserted, “Oscar Mayer’s workers and Unite won’t back down. Corporate greed is driving this disgraceful and unnecessary attack on already low-paid workers. It is behavior that should have no place in our society.”
Additionally, Unite Regional Officer Jono Davies emphasized, “This dispute can end tomorrow, but that can only happen if Oscar Mayer engages in meaningful discussions with Unite to find a solution that is acceptable to our members.”
In response to the escalating situation, an Oscar Mayer spokesperson stated in September, “We remain disappointed by Unite’s decision to undertake industrial action. The proposals have not been made lightly, but we have made clear throughout that they are absolutely necessary to ensure a long-term sustainable business and protect the jobs we provide in the local community. These measures will also put us in line with the majority of other businesses in our sector and similar companies in the local area. Nonetheless, we have continued to engage with our colleagues to seek agreement on these proposals.”
