CLYDEBANK’S MP has written to the boss of Asda amid a spat over contracts.

Martin Docherty-Hughes made contact with Roger Burnley, the chief executive of the supermarket giant, this week.

An outcry was caused last week when it was made public that there would be cuts to the public holiday entitlement of staff, as well as an end to paid breaks, with wages rising by just 80p per hour.

Staff were told they would have to agree to the contracts, or face being sacked.

In the letter, the MP claimed to have been contacted by “many constituents, members of staff and customers supporting them” saying the new terms will “have a detrimental impact on them financially and socially”.

The new terms also call for more flexibility from staff, something Mr Docherty-Hughes claims will have a negative impact on “those with young families, childcare responsibilities or those enrolled in higher education” who require set hours.

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The MP told the Post: “Asda is a major employer in West Dunbartonshire so it’s concerning that hard-working local staff face pay cuts or worse due to these proposed changes.

“I’ve been contacted by staff who have been employed in Asda’s stores in Clydebank and Dumbarton for many years who are very worried by the prospect of being forced to accept poorer working conditions.

“If Asda goes ahead with this then it will be a betrayal of the loyalty shown by their local employees, many of whom are on low incomes.

“I’ve written to Asda’s chief executive urging them to reopen negotiations with staff and trade union representatives. It’s critical that an amicable solution can be found which doesn’t unfairly disadvantage hard-working staff in West Dunbartonshire.”

A spokesman for Asda said: “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.”