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Workers at three Scottish Asda stores - including one in Livingston, West Lothian, are taking part in protests over controversial new contracts.

Employees at Livingston 's Almondvale Centre Asda , as well as staff at stores in Glasgow and Dundee will walk out today over plans to introduce a new so-called 'flexible' Contract 6.

Under the new contracts workers will not be paid for any breaks and will have to work on bank holidays and weekends in exchange for £9 an hour.

Staff have been forced to sign the new contract or face the sack amid claims they will be 'sacked in time for Christmas' if they fail to consent to new 'punitive' changes.

Now GMB Union has organised a nationwide protest at stores up and down the UK to demand a better deal.

As well as organised protests in Scotland, demonstrations will take place across the country in Liverpool, London, Hull, Crewe, Sheffield, Cwbran, South Shields, Sheffield, Stockport, Portsmouth, and Newcastle-under-Lyme.

Following an earlier protest in Leeds last month, Asda told Leeds Live : "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."

However, union GMB have said: "Our members are angry. Workers who have given years or loyal service are being told ‘sign this brutal contract or get the sack in time for Christmas’.

"By forcing people to sign this contract, Asda are making people choose between their families or their jobs.

"We’re calling on Asda to respect its workforce and offer dedicated, long-serving staff a better deal."

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