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

Employees have been handed new contracts 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 the town’s mega store have been told to accept the new conditions on offer or face the axe on November 2.

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

Robert Deavy GMB Scotland organiser for Asda said: “The management have lied and bullied their way through this.”

Shocked union bosses have discovered that some employees who were off sick during recent months were visited at home by managers.

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

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.”