We’re committed to Oldham - bakery chiefs

UNION leaders met MP Michael Meacher ahead of a meeting with Park Cake Bakery workers over an alleged erosion of working conditions, including zero-hour contracts and agency workers.

The Bakers Food and Allied Workers Union highlighted zero-hours contract-use at the Hathershaw bakery back in 2011.

The union claims workers have endured not only a pay freeze, but continue to face “the company’s demoralising agenda,” which erodes terms and conditions and long-standing agreements, and exploits agency labour to kill off the union at the bakery.

Union officials believe there is question-mark over the future of the company in Oldham, claiming rumours have circulated that the site is being prepared for sale or closure.

A spokesman for Pthe bakery denied zero-hours contracts had ever been given to directly-employed staff, and confirmed the company’s commitment to Oldham.

He said: “Like many organisations, Park Cake Bakeries has put in place a pay freeze to ensure the company has remained competitive in a very tough market.

“No staff employed directly by Park Cake Bakeries are on zero-hours contracts and never have been. It is not true the company has appointed a new agency or eroded terms and conditions.”

The spokesman added: “Park Cake Bakeries recent contract win with Marks and Spencer underscores the company’s commitment to the Oldham bakery, and the award of new business adds to the security of existing jobs at the Oldham site.