
Lesley Griffiths MS for Wrexham pays tribute to The Venture
A long-running industrial dispute at Oscar Mayer in Wrexham was finally settled at the end of last month, with dismissed workers being reinstated and improved working conditions secured.
Based on the Wrexham Industrial Estate, the major ready meal manufacturer supplies the majority of UK supermarkets and had been proposing significant changes to its workers' pay and conditions.
Most controversially, the company was attempting to slash pay by up to £3,000 a year by firing and rehiring the workers on inferior contracts.
In excess of 500 Unite members at the plant took over 200 days of strike action between September 2024 and April 2025, but, finally, a satisfactory agreement has been reached between Oscar Mayer and Unite the Union.
The workers have now secured an agreement that not only reinstates the dismissed workers but also compensates workers for the loss of paid breaks, gets members an extra day's holiday if they work bank holidays, allows them to carry over accrued holidays to 2026 and, for the first time, puts in place a formal recognition agreement between Oscar Meyer and Unite.
I am pleased a positive outcome was finally reached and I congratulate Unite and the Oscar Mayer workers on their hard fought victory.
Thankfully, the UK Government is passing legislation that should ensure controversial practices like fire and rehire are prohibited.
Happy birthday to The Venture!
Based in the heart of Caia Park, Wales' flagship integrated children's centre marked its 47th birthday at the beginning of this month.
The Venture's longevity is truly admirable and it has provided an invaluable service to countless children and families for decades.
It was a pleasure to join in with the celebrations and I remain proud to be patron of such a special organisation.
This year's National Eisteddfod has drawn to a close and it was a pleasure to spend a few days on the Maes.
The 8 day event, which took place in Isycoed on the outskirts of Wrexham, was a huge success and organisers did a wonderful job.
I hope it isn't too long before the Eisteddfod returns to Wrexham once again.
As always, if you're a constituent in Wrexham and there is an issue I could help you with, please contact me via email: lesley.griffiths@senedd.wales or call 01978 355743.

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Leader Live
18 hours ago
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Lesley Griffiths MS for Wrexham pays tribute to The Venture
MS for Wrexham A long-running industrial dispute at Oscar Mayer in Wrexham was finally settled at the end of last month, with dismissed workers being reinstated and improved working conditions secured. Based on the Wrexham Industrial Estate, the major ready meal manufacturer supplies the majority of UK supermarkets and had been proposing significant changes to its workers' pay and conditions. Most controversially, the company was attempting to slash pay by up to £3,000 a year by firing and rehiring the workers on inferior contracts. In excess of 500 Unite members at the plant took over 200 days of strike action between September 2024 and April 2025, but, finally, a satisfactory agreement has been reached between Oscar Mayer and Unite the Union. The workers have now secured an agreement that not only reinstates the dismissed workers but also compensates workers for the loss of paid breaks, gets members an extra day's holiday if they work bank holidays, allows them to carry over accrued holidays to 2026 and, for the first time, puts in place a formal recognition agreement between Oscar Meyer and Unite. I am pleased a positive outcome was finally reached and I congratulate Unite and the Oscar Mayer workers on their hard fought victory. Thankfully, the UK Government is passing legislation that should ensure controversial practices like fire and rehire are prohibited. Happy birthday to The Venture! Based in the heart of Caia Park, Wales' flagship integrated children's centre marked its 47th birthday at the beginning of this month. The Venture's longevity is truly admirable and it has provided an invaluable service to countless children and families for decades. It was a pleasure to join in with the celebrations and I remain proud to be patron of such a special organisation. This year's National Eisteddfod has drawn to a close and it was a pleasure to spend a few days on the Maes. The 8 day event, which took place in Isycoed on the outskirts of Wrexham, was a huge success and organisers did a wonderful job. I hope it isn't too long before the Eisteddfod returns to Wrexham once again. As always, if you're a constituent in Wrexham and there is an issue I could help you with, please contact me via email: or call 01978 355743.