WORKERS at Asda Ayr have been told they have 12 weeks to sign new contracts or face being sacked weeks before Christmas.

Employees have been handed new contracts which are aiming to create consistency and fairness across the company.

But the union representing Asda staff has blasted the contracts which they claim will deplete staff.

GMB have slammed the move which will see workers no longer paid for any breaks and opt for full flexibility meaning they would have to work on a weekend at any time.

Employees at Ayr’s Heathfield mega store have been told by management to accept the new conditions on offer, or face the axe on November 2.

Union chiefs have told the Ayr Advertiser how morale amongst staff is “rock bottom” with many workers across the company under “extreme stress”.

Robert Deavy GMB Scotland organiser for Asda said: “Asda colleagues have been given 12 weeks’ notice of dismissal. The management have lied and bullied their way through this. It’s not a consultation, they have just read this off a script.

“Long term staff who have been there for years are being told they now have to be fully flexible.”

The union has been fighting the case after Asda workers were called in to meetings. between the end of June and August 10.

And shocked union bosses have discovered that some employees who were off sick during that time were visited at home by managers.

The Ayr Advertiser requested to speak with colleagues at Asda stores across Ayrshire, but were told by Robert that staff were too intimidated to speak out.

This week some brave Ayrshire reps took the fight to Asda’s HQ in Leeds, where they held a demonstration against the supermarket.

Asda have defended the contract offers, and do not wish any staff to leave.

An Asda spokesperson said: “The retail sector is undergoing significant change and it is important that we are able to keep pace with these changes.

“We have been clear that we understand colleagues have commitments outside of work and will not be asking them to constantly move the time they work, their days or departments. Any changes will be with at least four weeks’ notice.

“This contract is about increasing the take-home pay of more than 100,000 retail colleagues, through an investment of more than £80m, and ensuring that everyone doing the same job is on the same terms and conditions.”