Oscar Mayer faces potential job losses as workers strike over pay and conditions
Wrexham: Workers at Oscar Mayer’s Rowan Food site voted overwhelmingly for a strike. They showed 98% support with a 76% turnout last September.
Currently, they are on strike due to frustrations over ‘fire and rehire’ tactics. Recently, Unite members protested against Pemberton at a Miami investment conference.
Pemberton Asset Management owns Oscar Mayer. Unite claims they want to fire and rehire many low-paid workers, cutting wages by up to £3,000.
Oscar Mayer denies this, saying the wage drop is only £20 a week, or £1,000 a year. They argue that these changes are necessary to protect jobs.
A spokesperson explained that operational changes saved over 2,500 jobs amid commercial challenges. They lost a major contract, affecting 25% of their business volume.
Without these changes, they warned that all jobs at the Wrexham site could be at risk. They aim to ensure long-term sustainability and protect local jobs.
After the Miami protest, Unite urged investors not to support Pemberton until they stop ‘fire and rehire’ practices at Oscar Mayer.
Local council pension funds in the UK, with around £700 million invested in Pemberton, received the same message.
The Clwyd Pension Fund has already decided not to invest further in Pemberton after finding £5.6 million of member funds were linked to them.
Unite’s general secretary, Sharon Graham, stated that Pemberton’s actions could harm their relationships with investors. She emphasized the need to end these employment practices.
