Unite secures legal victory for sacked electricians and heating
engineers
11th March 2009
Unite members who worked for an Ipswich firm have secured a
legal victory and substantial compensation following their
successful claim at an employment tribunal. Unite, the UK’s largest
engineering union, has been pursuing legal cases on behalf of 14
sacked members.
The electricians, pipefitters, heating engineers and apprentices
were employed at former Warners M&E Ltd in Ipswich, a well
known local mechanical and electrical contractors established in
1845. The workers and their union representatives were called to a
meeting where the majority of workers were immediately made
redundant with no notice or consultation as a result of the company
going into administration. Many of the staff first heard of their
plight on the local radio before the meeting had commenced.
In a decision at the employment tribunal the 14 members each
secured a share of compensation exceeding £132,000 including
damages for loss of statutory rights and a protective award of 13
week's pay per member following the company's failure to consult
with them and their union.
Unite regional secretary, Steve Hart, said: “We are pleased that
the tribunal found in our favour, and we hope our members receive
some of their compensation as soon as possible in these difficult
economic times.
“However, it has taken almost 12 months to get to this stage and
although the secretary of state will honour guaranteed amounts from
the awards, the compensation allowed by law is still inadequate as
some of the monies awarded may not be recoverable from the
administrators. The law must be strengthened to protect workers who
find themselves sacked when a company goes bust.”
Unite regional officer, Richard Clark, said: “A key issue is the
long debated problems surrounding the Construction Act, which is
currently up for reform. The government must ensure that changes
genuinely bring about security of payments, especially for small
and medium sized businesses so that main contractors cannot drive
them to the wall. This is essential for the protection of companies
and the people who work for them, now more than ever in the current
economic climate.
“Moreover, Unite will not tolerate our members being dismissed
with no notice, consultation and adequate compensation. The outcome
of this case demonstrates that the union will take action where
legal obligations to employees are not adhered to.”
ENDS
For further information contact Ashraf Choudhury in the Unite
press office on 020 7420 8914 or 07980 224761.
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